Solving the Atwood Machine - Descending Mass

In summary, in the Atwood machine experiment, two masses are used with negligible pulley and string weights. The pulley has no friction and the string does not stretch. The lighter mass is released with an initial velocity of 2.70m/s downward. The tension was found to be 33.1N. To find how far the lighter mass descends, the acceleration of both masses must be found using the kinematics of uniformly accelerated motion. The point where the lighter mass's speed is zero can be used to determine the distance it descends before coming back up. After receiving a helpful suggestion, the person was able to figure out the solution.
  • #1
shamockey
5
0
In the Atwood machine regular 2 mass machine,m1= 2.20kg and m2=7.30kg . The masses of the pulley and string are negligible by comparison. The pulley turns without friction and the string does not stretch. The lighter object is released with a sharp push that sets it into motion at an initial velocity of 2.70m/s downward. I found the Tension to be 33.1N, but i don't understand how to apply to find how far will m1 descend below its initial value? Could anyone help me out?
 
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  • #2
Find the acceleration of the masses, which for m1 will be upward. Use the kinematics of uniformly accelerated motion to find out how far m1 descends before coming back up. Hint: Find the point where its speed is zero.
 
  • #3
i figured it out thanks for the suggestion. Closed!
 

What is an Atwood machine?

An Atwood machine is a simple mechanical device that consists of two masses connected by a string or rope that passes over a pulley. It is commonly used in physics experiments to study the principles of dynamics and gravity.

What is the purpose of solving the Atwood machine with a descending mass?

The purpose of solving the Atwood machine with a descending mass is to understand how the acceleration of the system is affected by the mass of the descending weight and the mass of the counterweight. This can help in calculating the acceleration due to gravity and other properties of the system.

How do you calculate the acceleration of an Atwood machine with a descending mass?

To calculate the acceleration of an Atwood machine with a descending mass, you can use the formula a = (m2 - m1)g / (m1 + m2), where m1 is the mass of the descending weight, m2 is the mass of the counterweight, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

What are the factors that affect the acceleration of an Atwood machine with a descending mass?

The acceleration of an Atwood machine with a descending mass is affected by the difference in mass between the two weights, the length of the string or rope, and the friction of the pulley. Other factors such as air resistance and the angle of the string can also have an impact.

How does the acceleration of an Atwood machine with a descending mass change with different masses?

The acceleration of an Atwood machine with a descending mass is directly proportional to the difference in mass between the two weights. This means that as the mass of the descending weight increases, the acceleration also increases. However, the acceleration is inversely proportional to the total mass of the system, so as the total mass increases, the acceleration decreases.

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