TomAlso
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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 m_2
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 m_2 is half of the acceleration of the mass m_1. On m_1 we have:
m_1 g - T = m_1 a
On m_2 we have:
2T - (m+m_2)g = (m+m_2) \cdot \frac{a}{2}
which solves for
a = \frac{2*(m + m_2 - 2 m_1)}{4 m_1 + m + m_2}
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!