Another Laws of Motion question

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SUMMARY

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving two bricks, each with a mass of 0.2 kg, connected by a cord over a frictionless pulley, and a 0.1 kg block placed on one of the bricks. After the block is removed, the participant calculates the accelerations and velocities of the bricks, concluding that one moves with a velocity of 4 m/s and the other with -4 m/s. However, the correct solution indicates that both bricks move 4 m in the first second after the block is removed, as they achieve constant velocity without further acceleration.

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  • Familiarity with concepts of tension in a pulley system
  • Basic knowledge of kinematics, including displacement and velocity
  • Ability to solve equations involving mass and acceleration
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konichiwa2x
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Hi this problem stumps me.

Two bricks each having a mass of 0.2 kg tied at the end of a light flexible cord and are passing over a small frinctionless pulley. A 0.1kg block is placed on one of the blocks and removed after 2 seconds. How far will each block move in the first second the 0.1kg block is removed?

My Work:

for one of the blocks: [tex]0.3(10) - T = 0.3a[/tex]
for the other block: [tex]T - 2 = 0.2a[/tex]
solving, [tex]a = m/s^2[/tex]
Then I found the velocities of each block after the 0.1kg block is removed. i,e [tex]v = 2(2) = 4m/s[/tex]
actually, one of the blocks will have 4m/s and the other -4m/s.

for the block that has -4m/s velocity,
the displacement in the first second:
[tex]s = -4(1) - \frac{1}{2}(10)(1)[/tex]
[tex]= -9m[/tex]

and for the other block i got the displacement as 1m.

BOOK SOLUTION: my book says the correct answer is 4m for each block.

Please tell me where I went wrong. Thanks for your time!
 
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After the one kg block is removed, there is not acceleration of the two blocks. One 2 kg block balances the other, and both contribute to the tension in the cord.

One calculated the speed a 4 m/s for one block and -4 m/s for the other block, i.e. one moves up and the other down. In one second, what is the distance traveled at constant velocity?
 
allright thanks. got it now:smile:

by the way, can you please look at this thread I posted earlier today?
https://www.physicsforums.com/showthread.php?t=132919 It is related to the same topic. I have been practicing laws of motion problems all day and I really want to get it straight. only that question is left..thanks
 

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