Finding acceleration in multiple pulley system

AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on calculating the acceleration of an object in a multiple pulley system, where all masses are equal and pulleys and ropes are massless. The equations of motion and net force are applied to the system, leading to the conclusion that the acceleration of the rightmost object (a2) is four times that of the leftmost object (a1). However, the final calculation yields an incorrect acceleration value of a2 = 8g/15, prompting a request for assistance in identifying the error. The user is advised to reconsider the justification for treating the two pulleys as a single system. The thread emphasizes the importance of accurately applying physics principles to solve the problem.
Aireaz
Messages
1
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement


All the masses of the black dots are the same, the pulleys and ropes are massless.
Calculate the acceleration of the right most object (the one that is just on the single hanging rope)

Homework Equations


Fnet= ∑F : ma=T-mg
d= v1t + 1/2at^2

The Attempt at a Solution


The left pulley and the middle pulley can be thought of as one system, therefore ma1 = 4T-2mg
The right pulley is simply ma2=mg - T
If the right rope was pulled down a distance of d then the two ropes on the middle and left rope will go up d/2 making it d= 4 * 1/4d. This means looking at the acceleration formula, d = 1/2a2t^2 (v1=0) and 1/4d = 1/2a1t^2, I found that a2=4a1 (as 1/4d=1/2a1 isolate for d which is d=2a1 which substituted in d=1/2a2 gets 2a1=1/2a2 giving 4a1=a2)
now it can be substituted into the fnet equation. if a1=-a2/4 (since one pulley accelerates in one direction and the other in the opposite direction). ma1=4T-2mg becomes m(-a2/4) = 4T-mg and will yield (-ma2+8mg)/16 = T
T can be substituted in the other fnet equation leading to ma2 = mg - (-ma2+8mg)/16 which calculated yields 16ma2 = 16mg - 8mg + ma2 and finally leads into 15a2=8g.
the answer should be a2=8g/15 however something is wrong as this is not an answer that is correct. Can someone help me see what is incorrect?
 

Attachments

  • Image 2.png
    Image 2.png
    1.5 KB · Views: 2,890
Physics news on Phys.org
Aireaz said:
ma1 = 4T-2mg
Think about that again.
(You ought to justify the statement that those two pulleys can be treated as one.)
 
I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'
Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...

Similar threads

Replies
23
Views
3K
Replies
40
Views
4K
Replies
8
Views
10K
Replies
16
Views
5K
Replies
6
Views
9K
Back
Top