TomAlso
- 3
- 0
Homework Statement
Consider the pulleys system in the picture. Assume both pulleys are frictionless. Assume the rope is massless and inextensible. Find the acceleration of the mass [tex]m_2[/tex]
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
I have solved the same problem with massless pulleys and I fail to see if their radii should be involved at all in the final result. So first notice that the acceleration of the mass [tex]m_2[/tex] is half of the acceleration of the mass [tex]m_1[/tex]. On [tex]m_1[/tex] we have:
[tex]m_1 g - T = m_1 a[/tex]
On [tex]m_2[/tex] we have:
[tex]2T - (m+m_2)g = (m+m_2) \cdot \frac{a}{2}[/tex]
which solves for
[tex]a = \frac{2*(m + m_2 - 2 m_1)}{4 m_1 + m + m_2}[/tex]
Anyone can offer any advice? In particular, how am I supposed to include the radius of the pulleys and the pulley that does not figure in the equation? Thank you!