Atwood machine - find kinetic energy

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around an Atwood machine problem involving two suspended masses of 1.00 kg and 1.01 kg. Participants are tasked with finding the acceleration of the heavier mass and the total kinetic energy after a specified time of 2.50 seconds.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Mathematical reasoning, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to calculate acceleration using a specific formula and expresses confusion regarding the kinetic energy calculation. Other participants suggest using the final velocity formula and question the time used in calculations.

Discussion Status

Some participants confirm the correctness of the acceleration calculation, while others raise questions about the time variable used for velocity. Guidance has been offered regarding the kinetic energy formula, but there is no explicit consensus on the approach to finding the final speed.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of a homework assignment, which may limit the information available for discussion. There is a noted confusion regarding the appropriate time to use in calculations.

NewJersey
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1) Massess of 1.00kg and 1.01kg are suspended in a frictionless Atwood machine
a) Find acceleration of the 1.010kg mass
b) Find the total kinetic energy of the masses 2.50s after being released

So for a I set up an equation where a= (1.01-1.00)
1.00+1.010 times 9/87m/s
and got .0491 for accelaration is this right.


b) I am confuse
Can anyone help
 
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Find the velocity of each mass using vf = vi + at. Then find KE.
 
so vf will equal
vf= (0.0491)*(3.8s)

Is part a right.
 
part a is correct
 
why do you take 3.8 seconds and not 2.50 seconds in the final speed calculation?
 
SO KE= 1/2 mv
so i would plugged in 1/2 times the total mass? * vf

IS this right, I will calculate the numbers later
 
Yes, but you need to square the speed.
 

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