# Homework Help: Atwood machine

1. Nov 19, 2009

### bjac

There are two blocks of equal mass M that hang from a massless, frictionless pulley. There is a small square block of mass m sitting on top of one of the blocks. When the block is released, it accelerates downward for a distance H until the block of mass m sitting on tip gets caught by a ring. The block of mass M continues to fall at constant speed for a distance D.

Derive an expression in terms of g using M, m, D, H, and t, where t is the time that M takes to move at constant speed through the distance D.

I have made drawing describing the situation:

http://img691.imageshack.us/img691/3714/38860857.png [Broken]

I actually have this solution, but I don't understand it. Could someone explain how it was derived?

$$a=\frac{mg}{2M+m}$$

$$v^2=2aH$$

$$v=\frac{D}{t}$$

$$v^2=\frac{2mgH}{2M+m}$$

$$\frac{D^2}{t^2}=\frac{2mgh}{2M+m}$$

$$g=\frac{(2m+m)D^2}{2mHt^2}$$

Last edited by a moderator: May 4, 2017
2. Nov 19, 2009

What part are you having difficulty with? What did you try?

3. Nov 19, 2009

### fatra2

Hi there,

By looking at your problem, and making the calculations myself, I found this error in your solution:

$$a = \frac{mg}{M + m}$$ without the 2M at the bottom

4. Nov 19, 2009

Are you sure? I did it too and I'm getting 2M.

5. Nov 19, 2009

### fatra2

From where do you find the second M???

Let's look at the forces acting on the (M+m) system. You have the tension in the rope, and the weight of both M+m.

$$\sum F = (M+m)a$$
$$T - F_M - F_m = (M+m)a$$
$$\cancel{Mg} - \cancel{Mg} - mg = (M+m)a$$
$$a = -\frac{mg}{M+m}$$

6. Nov 19, 2009