Calculating Mass and Force: A Pulley Problem

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redlightgreen
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Homework Statement



The 100 kg blcok in the figure takes 5.40 s to reach the floor after being released from rest. What is the mass of the block on the left?
Diagram of an Atwood machine: a pulley with a rope over it, a block labeled m on the left and a block labeled 100 kg on the right, with a vertical arrow marked 1 m beside the right block.


Homework Equations


F=ma
sf=si + (1/2)(a)(delta t)


The Attempt at a Solution



I know to find acceleration you use
sf=si + (1/2)(a)(delta t)
0=1+(1/2)(a)(5.4)
a = 0.0686 m/s2

and then the F=ma to find the force on the block of known mass.
F=(100 kg)(0.0686)
F=6.86

but from this I am not sure how to determine the mass of the block on the left?
 
Welcome to PF!

redlightgreen said:
a = 0.0686 m/s2

and then the F=ma to find the force on the block of known mass.
F=(100 kg)(0.0686)
F=6.86

but from this I am not sure how to determine the mass of the block on the left?

Hi redlightgreen! Welcome to PF! :smile:

Find the tension, T, and then use the fact that the block on the left has the same acceleration (in the opposite direction, of course). :wink: