- #1
Elthamer
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Homework Statement
The problems asks:
According to the above sketch, find accelartion (a1) of mass1? Note that the cables and pulleys are ideal (massless and frictionless). Everything started at rest until the pulleys lock were realsed. m1, m2, m3 have all different masses.
Homework Equations
a1 = a2 + a3
F = ma
The Attempt at a Solution
Here's what i have set up so far, correct me if i am wrong:
Known: m1, m2, m3, g
Unknown: a1, a2, a3, T1, T2, T3 (T=Tension, a= acceleration, m=mass)
System 1: m1
x: 0
y: T1 + W = m1a1
System 2: m2
x: 0
y: T2 + W = m2a2
System 3: m3
x: 0
y: T3 + W = m3a3
a1 =a2 + a3
I don't know what to do from here, i guess its because my set up is wrong. I was told by a friend that just 2 systems are required, and that system 2 is m2 and m3 combined. Thus Tension 1 would be T1 = T2+3. But i am not sure if that's correct either.
Any help solving or setting up the problem would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Thamer H.
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