Force Required to Accelerate M2 w/ Equal Masses M1 & M2

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the force required to accelerate mass M2 upwards when connected to an equal mass M1 via a chain over a sprocket. When both masses are equal, M1's weight initially counteracts M2's weight, resulting in no motion. However, as the acceleration A1 of M2 exceeds the acceleration due to gravity, the influence of M1's weight becomes negligible, confirming that M1 does not affect the required force for acceleration in this scenario.

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bmaderazo
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I'm going to try to explain this as well as I can.

Two masses M1 and M2 are connected by chain and hung over a sprocket connected to the output shaft of a motor. We can assume M1 and M2 are equal. Normally, the weight of M1 counteracts the weight of M2 and there is no motion.

If I want to accelerate M2 upwards at acceleration A1, what would be the force required?

I thought this was simple at first, but the weight of M1 that is initially counteracting the weight of M2 diminishes as the acceleration A1 grows. If A1 is greater than the acc. of gravity then the weight of M1 is completely negligible. Is this correct?
 
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Last edited:
bmaderazo said:
If A1 is greater than the acc. of gravity then the weight of M1 is completely negligible. Is this correct?

Sure. Under those circumstances M1 no longer influences A1.
 

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