Acceleration on Inclined Plane and Pulley System

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on calculating the acceleration of mass m2 on an inclined plane in a pulley system involving two masses: m1 = 33 kg and m2 = 14 kg, with a coefficient of friction μ = 0.19. The equations derived from the free body diagrams include T - m2g(5/13) - μm2g(12/13) = m2a2 for mass 2 and 2T - m1g = m1a1 for mass 1, with the relationship a2 = -2a1 for the pulley system. The initial calculations yielded tensions of T = 279.8 N and T = 121.43 N, with accelerations a1 = 7.15 m/s² and a2 = 14.30 m/s², but the user expressed uncertainty about the correctness of these results.

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  • Understanding of Newton's laws of motion
  • Knowledge of free body diagrams (FBD)
  • Familiarity with inclined plane physics
  • Basic principles of pulley systems and mechanical advantage
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aaronfue
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Homework Statement



I believe that I have my answer. I would appreciate it if someone could check my work.

m1 = 33 kg
m2 = 14 kg
μ = 0.19
Angle is given by 5,12,23 triangle shown in figure.
Assume pulleys are massless.

What is the acceleration of mass m2 on the incline plane? (Positive acceleration to be up ramp)

Homework Equations




Mass 2:
T - m2g(\frac{5}{13}) - μm2g(\frac{12}{13}) = m2a2

Mass 1:
2T - m1g = m1a1

Pulley System:
a2 = -2a1

The Attempt at a Solution



Even though acceleration is assumed to be up the ramp, I drew my FBD with acceleration going down the ramp. I know that if my answer is negative it will be the opposite direction of what I assumed.

After I plugged the pulley equation into the mass 2 equation and then solved two equations with two unknowns:

T = 279.8 N

a1 = 7.15 \frac{m}{s^2}

a2 = 14.30 \frac{m}{s^2} (Initially this was a negative answer, which reversed my assumption of the direction)
 

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Homework Statement



I thought that my answers were correct but they are not. I would appreciate it if someone could check my work. I can't seem to find where I made my mistake!

I have also attached a scan of my free body diagrams and the equations that I came up with.

m1 = 33 kg
m2 = 14 kg
μ = 0.19
Angle is given by 5,12,13 triangle shown in figure.
Assume pulleys are massless.

What is the acceleration of mass m2 on the incline plane?

Homework Equations



These are the equations that I came up with from my free body diagrams:

Mass 2:
T - m2g(\frac{5}{13}) - μm2g(\frac{12}{13}) = m2a2

Mass 1:
2T - m1g = m1a1

Pulley System:
a2 = -2a1

The Attempt at a Solution



After I plugged the pulley equation into the mass 2 equation and then solved two equations with two unknowns:

T = 121.43 N

a1 = 2.45 \frac{m}{s^2}

a2 = 4.90 \frac{m}{s^2} (Initially this was a negative answer, which reversed my assumption of the direction)
 

Attachments

What makes you think the answer is incorrect? Do you have answers provided: perhaps they hold a clue?

You could check by simplifying the system - the pulley system offers a mechanical advantage in one direction ... which, and what does that mean?
 

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