What happens first, gravity and circular motion

[rkbgt]

The system shown in the link consists of two identical blocks of mass M connected by a massless, flexible string of length 2L. The string passes through a massless pulley which is fixed to the corner of the supporting table. The string and the masses move with no friction, and gravity acts downward as usual. The system is allowed to move freely from the position shown in the figure. Which happens first:

1) Block 1 hits the pulley, or
2) Block 2 hits the wall?

http://i147.photobucket.com/albums/r311/brkuprel/Physics.jpg

 

[anathema]

I would approach this problem by first analyzing the forces acting on the system. We know that gravity is acting downward on both blocks, and the string is pulling in opposite directions on each block. The pulley is also fixed to the table and does not move.

From this information, we can determine that the blocks will accelerate towards each other until one of them hits the pulley or the wall. This is because the string will continue to pull the blocks closer together until it becomes taut and cannot stretch any further.

In order to determine which block will hit first, we need to look at the initial positions and velocities of the blocks. We can assume that both blocks start from rest, so their initial velocities are zero. However, block 1 is closer to the pulley and has a shorter distance to travel compared to block 2. This means that block 1 will reach the pulley first and hit it before block 2 reaches the wall.

Therefore, the answer to the question is that block 1 will hit the pulley first. However, it is important to note that this assumes the string is massless and the pulley is fixed. If the string had some mass or the pulley was able to move, the results may be different. it is important to consider all factors and variables when making conclusions about a system.

 

[baba89]

I would say that it is not possible to determine which event will happen first without knowing the initial conditions and the specific properties of the system. Both events, block 1 hitting the pulley and block 2 hitting the wall, are dependent on the initial conditions and the forces acting on the system.

However, I can make some general observations about the system based on the given information. Since the string is flexible and the masses are identical, the system will most likely undergo circular motion. In this case, the masses will move in opposite directions, with one mass moving towards the pulley and the other towards the wall.

The speed and acceleration of each mass will depend on the initial conditions, such as their initial velocities and the angle at which the string is released. If the initial velocity of the mass moving towards the pulley is greater than the initial velocity of the other mass, then it is possible that block 1 will hit the pulley first. On the other hand, if the initial velocity of the mass moving towards the wall is greater, then block 2 may hit the wall first.

In conclusion, the order in which block 1 and block 2 hit the pulley and the wall will depend on the initial conditions and the specific properties of the system. It is not possible to determine which event will happen first without this information.