Calculating the acceleration and kinetic energy of a bucket in a pulley system

AI Thread Summary
The discussion revolves around calculating the acceleration and kinetic energy of a bucket in a pulley system. Initially, the user calculated the acceleration as 5.8 m/s², but later adjustments considering the torque and inertia of the pulley led to a revised acceleration of 7 m/s². The kinetic energy was initially calculated as 69.9 J, but after correcting the acceleration, the final kinetic energy was determined to be 49 J. Participants emphasized the importance of incorporating torque and inertia in the calculations for accurate results. The thread concludes with the user expressing gratitude for the assistance received in solving the problem.
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Homework Statement



A well pulley is constructed from wooden cylinder with a mass of 5 kg and a radius of 10 cm and a light handle. The bucket filled with water is hanging on the rope coiled to the cylinder has a mass of 7 kg.
- With how much acceleration does the bucket move if the handle breaks; the pulley is spinning with no friction?
- How much is the kinetic energy of the bucket after it falls for 1 m?

Homework Equations



F=ma
KE= mv²/2
PE= mgh

The Attempt at a Solution



First part: With how much acceleration does the bucket move if the handle breaks; the pulley is spinning with no friction?

m(1)= 5 kg, m(2)= 7 kg, g= 10 m/s²

(m(1) + m(2))*a= m(2)g
a= m(2)g / (m(1) + m(2)
a= 5.8 m/s²

ARE MY CALCULATIONS CORRECT?

Second part: How much is the kinetic energy of the bucket after it falls for 1 m?

KE= PE
mv²/2= mgh
v= sqrt(2gh)
v= 4.47 m/s

KE= mv²/2= 69.9 J

Are my calculations correct?

Thank you helping!
 
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The equation for acceleration is wrong. Check it.
 
Do I have to take into the consideration inertia and the torque of the pulley (I know the radius and the mass of the pulley) and develop it from there?:confused:

What about the second part? Is it correct?

Thank you for helping!
 
Last edited:
There is torque acting on the cylinder because of the tension in the rope.
 
Please, can you give a hint how to apply the torque into the calculations? I'm really confused!?

I tried it like this:

For the bucket:[/color]
m(1)a= m(1)g - T

For the pulley:[/color]
Iα= Tr

I= 1/2m(2)r² and α= a/r

1/2m(2)r²*a/r = Tr → 1/2m(2)r= T

For the system:[/color]
1/2m(2)a + m(1)a = m(1)g -T + T
a= m(1)g / (m(1) + 1/2m(2))
a= 7 m/s²[/color]

I really need help with solving this problem. Thank you for helping!
 
Yes.

Now for the second part you just replace g with your new a.
 
:biggrin: Thank you very much!:biggrin:

So the correct answer is: 49 J[/color]
 

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