Atwood Machine Question

In summary, the question being asked is why the Atwood Wheel moves faster as the mass on one side is increased. The possible explanation is that this is due to inertia and the torque of the wheel, as increasing the mass on one side increases the inertia of the system. It may be helpful to perform some calculations to prove this, such as increasing the mass of one side and observing the corresponding increase in force.
  • #1
brick
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Homework Statement


Well gravity's acceleration on objects is 9.8 m/s^2 and the question is why the Atwood Wheel moves faster as the mass on side is increased.


Homework Equations


N/A


The Attempt at a Solution


I am thinking it has something to do with inertia and the torque of the wheel since the more mass more inertia if i am not mistaken. Any help or point in the right direction would help thank you
 
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  • #2
you could just simply do some proofs by just proving the masses have a higher force by simply crunching numbers like 5 times for each side one light on heavy and increase mass for the light one and increas for heavy and show how the force increase and drops. pretty simple but shou8ld prove it
 
  • #3
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Your intuition about inertia and torque is on the right track. The Atwood machine is a classic example of a mechanical system where the acceleration of the masses is determined by the forces acting on them. In this case, the force of gravity is the only force acting on the system, and it is the same for both masses. However, the difference in mass causes a difference in inertia, which in turn affects the acceleration.

When the mass on one side is increased, it has a greater inertia which means it resists changes in motion more strongly. This results in a larger torque being exerted on the wheel, causing it to rotate faster. Additionally, the increased mass on one side also increases the force of gravity acting on that side, further contributing to the acceleration of the system.

It is important to note that in a real-life scenario, friction and other external forces would also play a role in the acceleration of the system. However, in an idealized Atwood machine, these factors can be neglected and the acceleration can be explained solely by the difference in mass and the resulting difference in inertia.
 

1. What is an Atwood Machine?

An Atwood Machine is a simple mechanical device used to demonstrate the principles of Newton's laws of motion. It consists of two masses connected by a string over a pulley, with one mass hanging on each side of the pulley. The machine is named after the 18th century British mathematician George Atwood who first studied its mechanics.

2. How does an Atwood Machine work?

The Atwood Machine works by applying the principles of balanced and unbalanced forces. The two masses hanging on either side of the pulley experience a force of gravity pulling them towards the ground. When one mass is heavier than the other, the heavier mass will accelerate downwards due to the unbalanced force. This causes the lighter mass to accelerate upwards due to the tension in the string, creating a continuous motion.

3. What is the purpose of using an Atwood Machine?

The Atwood Machine is used to demonstrate the principles of Newton's laws of motion in a simple and visual manner. It can be used to calculate the acceleration due to gravity, as well as to observe the relationship between the masses and the acceleration in an experiment. It is also commonly used in physics and engineering classrooms as a teaching tool.

4. What factors affect the motion of an Atwood Machine?

The motion of an Atwood Machine is affected by various factors such as the masses of the objects, the length and weight of the string, and the friction in the pulley. These factors can affect the acceleration of the masses and the overall motion of the machine. Additionally, external factors such as air resistance and surface friction can also impact the motion of the machine.

5. Are there any real-world applications of the Atwood Machine?

While the Atwood Machine is primarily used as a teaching tool, it also has real-world applications. For example, it can be used to measure the acceleration due to gravity, which is important in areas such as geology and seismology. It is also used in some types of elevators and construction cranes to lift heavy objects using the principles of balanced and unbalanced forces.

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