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Nov 2011 p41 q2
3950
Particles A of mass 0.65 kg and B of mass 0.35 kg are attached to the ends of a light inextensible string which passes over a fixed smooth pulley. B is held at rest with the string taut and both of its straight parts vertical. The system is released from rest and the particles move vertically. Find the tension in the string and the magnitude of the resultant force exerted on the pulley by the string.
Solution
Let the tension in the string be denoted by \(T\) and the acceleration of the system be \(a\).
For particle A (mass 0.65 kg), applying Newton's second law:
\(0.65g - T = 0.65a\)
For particle B (mass 0.35 kg), applying Newton's second law:
\(T - 0.35g = 0.35a\)
Adding these two equations to eliminate \(T\):
\(0.65g - 0.35g = 0.65a + 0.35a\)
\(0.30g = a\)
Substitute \(a = 0.30g\) back into one of the equations to find \(T\):