What is the solution to the Atwood machine problem with given variables?

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The Atwood machine problem presented involves two masses (0.40 kg and 0.80 kg) and a pulley with a mass of 0.20 kg and a radius of 0.15 m. The correct acceleration of the masses is determined to be 1.2 m/s². The approach to solving the problem includes setting the net torque equal to the moment of inertia times angular acceleration, but it requires careful consideration of the tensions in the strings, particularly when acceleration is not zero. A free-body diagram is essential for accurately determining the tensions and ultimately solving for acceleration.

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I have been working on this problem off-and-on for a couple of days now and cannot seem to get the correct answer. The problem is an Atwood machine problem. The following are the variables:

Mass of pulley = .20 kg
Radius of pulley = .15 m
Clockwise frictional torque = .35 m*N
Mass 1 on right side = .40 kg
Mass 2 on left side = .80 kg

The problem wants to know the acceleration of the masses. The correct answer is 1.2 m/s^2.

My thought was to set the net torque of the system equal to moment of inertia times angular acceleration. Take that number and multiply by the radius to get the tangential acceleration. I have tried the following to get the angular acceleration:

T2 - T1 - Tf = Iα

Which equates to:
m2gR - m1gR - Tf = Iα (solve for α)

With the above formula, which must obviously be the wrong approach, I cannot seem to match the answer in the back of the book. What am I missing here?
 
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Ah, the dreaded Atwood machine! In our General Physics lab, we call it the "toe-cruncher." :eek:

[itex]T_1 = m_1 g[/itex] and [itex]T_2 = m_2 g[/itex] only if the acceleration is zero. Do a free-body diagram for each mass to figure out the tension in each string in terms of the acceleration.
 
Last edited:
If you search the threads, I'm very sure you will find that someone else has already dealt with this kind of problem (I know because I've posted such problems before).
 

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