How Does Total Mass Affect Acceleration in an Atwood's Machine?

[cloudage]

Homework Statement

What is the relationship between the total mass and the acceleration of an Atwood’s machine?

The Attempt at a Solution

I have a graph from the lab, but the regression value for the best fit line is very poor, so it is difficult to tell much from the values. I can see that as the total mass increases the acceleration goes down, but I don't know how to explain this. I don't even know what sort of graph the best-fit line would have (straight or parabola). I would appreciate any help.

 

[Chestermiller]

There is not sufficient information provided to properly address this question.