- #1
kitkat87
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Homework Statement
In my workbook it gives an example and solution for the following question:
The following diagram is of an atwood machine, which is a machine consisting of two masses: a massless string and a frictionless pulley. Due to the unequal masses on either end of the string, the system of masses will accelerate. Determine the acceleration of these masses, as well as the tension in the string.
So this is the question above. and the workbook solution is this:
Given: M1 = 1.0 kg and M2 = 1.9 kg
Required: a=acceleration and Ft = tension force
(Let the direction of acceleration be the positive direction, that is, up on the left and down on the right)
For M1
Fnet = Ft - Fg
m1a = Ft - mg
(1.0 kg) a = Ft - (1.0 kg)(9.8 n/kg)
Note: we can ignore units temporarily for ease of calculation.
1.0a = Ft - 9.8
For M2
Fnet = Fg2 - Ft
m2a = m2g - Ft
1.9a = 18.6 - Ft
Again, we leave units out for ease of calculation
Notice that there are two unknowns in each of the equations. Acceleration will be the same for both objects, since they are both connected. The magnitude of tension is also equal throughout the string. Therefore, to solve for acceleration, you can solve for Ft in each equation, then equate them.
*******This is the part where I got confused*******
*******The workbook throws in a random number in the next part and I have no idea where it came from, nor is there any explanation as to why it's there******
(From my understanding, I'm supposed to drag down the final numbers from the equations above and solve for Ft
However this workbook solution decides to defy all laws of mathematics and play mind games. Listed below is the next part of the given answer)
M1
Ft = 1.0a + 9.8 (correct)
M2
Ft = 18.6 - 19a (where did this number come from? and what happened to the 1.9a?)
Equate them and solve for a:
18.6 - 19.6a = 1.0a + 9.8
2.9a = 8.8
So now I'm even more confused because I have no clue where 1.9 went, they've now added in a magical mystery decimal of 19.6 and then at the end the calculations don't even add up properly. How does the workbook get 18.6-19.6 = 2.9 ? This is really confusion and frustrating.
Can someone please help explain, in detail, what I'm missing here?
I didn't do any of these calculations. This is just a given example of a question and a solution in my workbook that I'm apparently supposed to learn from.
The question goes on even further but I'm not going to put the rest in until I figure out this step properly.
Your help is greatly appreciated (pulling hair out)