# 3 Sliding Masses; find speed

1. Sep 20, 2011

### cassienoelle

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
The three blocks shown are relased at t=0 from the position shown in the figure. Assume that there is no friction between the table and M2, and that the two pulleys are massless and frictionless. The masses are: M1 = 1.0 kg, M2 = 7.0 kg, M3 = 3.0 kg.
Calculate the speed of M2 at a time 1.45 s after the system is released from rest.
(M1 is on left side of box, M2 is on the top of the box, M3 is on the right side of the box. Corners of box are pulleys.)

2. Relevant equations
None.

3. The attempt at a solution
I have ZERO clue.

2. Sep 20, 2011

### Aggression200

These problems are always very interesting ones.

First, you have to draw a FBD for all three masses.

3. Sep 20, 2011

### Pranav-Arora

Where is the figure?

4. Sep 20, 2011

### cassienoelle

5. Sep 20, 2011

### Pranav-Arora

There is no image present relevant to the question.

6. Sep 20, 2011

### Aggression200

So basically, there are two pulleys attached to the box.

There is a single, massless string run through the pulley system.

M1 is hanging on the left side of the box and M3 is hanging on the right side of the box (attached to string I presume).

M2 has a string connected on both sides? Yes?

7. Sep 20, 2011

### cassienoelle

The image should be 3boxes on a pulley system.

8. Sep 20, 2011

### cassienoelle

Yes, Aggression, that is right.

9. Sep 20, 2011

### Pranav-Arora

Is that a university website or something like that?
If so, i think i can't access that until i am a student of it.

10. Sep 20, 2011

### Aggression200

Alright, now we can get this problem started.

So, you'll have 3 separate FBDs.

M1's FBD will have a T force going up and a Weight Force going down.

M2's FBD will have tension forces on both sides, a normal force going up that is equal to a weight force going down.

M3's FBD will have a T force going up and a weight force going down.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

11. Sep 20, 2011

### cassienoelle

Image should be attached.

#### Attached Files:

• ###### THREE.gif
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12. Sep 20, 2011

### PeterO

consider the 3 masses plus string as a single sytem, with the pulleys just adjusting a couple of directions.

The Force trying to move the system clockwise is the weight of the right hand mass.
The force trying to move the system in the anti-clockwise direction is the weight of the left hand mass.
One of those is bigger and "wins".
The net force [one weight minus the other] acts on the whole system. F = ma is then used.

13. Sep 20, 2011

### cassienoelle

But i don't have the acceleration of the force...

14. Sep 20, 2011

### Pranav-Arora

PeterO, please don't directly come on F=ma relation. It would be better if you help the OP make equations for each body.

15. Sep 20, 2011

### cassienoelle

Okay, can you give me a hint please?
I'm sorry, but i'm really bad at physics and I'm stressed and Idk where to go.

16. Sep 20, 2011

### Aggression200

Well, after you draw your FBDs, you will have a system of 3 equations.

So, sum the forces in each situation.

We will denote T$_{1,2}$ as the tension force between the M1 and M2 object.
We will denote T$_{2,3}$ as the tension force between the M2 and M3 object.
T$_{2,1}$ = T$_{1,2}$
T$_{3,2}$ = T$_{2,3}$ By Newton's 3rd law.

Now, sum of the forces for M1....

$\Sigma$F = T$_{1,2}$ - m$_{1}$g = m$_{1}$a

Sum of the forces for M2.....

$\Sigma$F = - T$_{2,1}$ + m$_{2}$g - m$_{2}$g + T$_{2,3}$ = m$_{2}$a

Sum of the forces for M3....

$\Sigma$F = -T$_{3,2}$+m$_{3}$g = m$_{3}$a

I'm not 100% sure that these are correct. Someone double check me.

17. Sep 20, 2011

### cassienoelle

MEH! I have no clue!

18. Sep 20, 2011

### Aggression200

Let's assume they are. haha

Now, add up all the equations. The tension forces will cancel leaving you with.....

$\Sigma$F = m$_{3}$g - m$_{1}$g = m$_{1}$a + m$_{2}$a + m$_{3}$a

So, factor out a g from the left side, and an a from the right side.....

g(m$_{3}$-m$_{1}$) = a(m$_{1}$ + m$_{2}$ + m$_{3}$)

Solve for a and that will give you the acceleration of each block.

m1 = 1.0 kg
m2 = 7.0 kg
m3 = 3.0 kg

19. Sep 20, 2011

### cassienoelle

where did m2g go?

20. Sep 20, 2011

### Aggression200

m2g canceled out because the equation for M2 included.....

m2g - m2g = 0

So, that's why they canceled out.