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MrPickle
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Homework Statement
Particles of mass 600g and 400g are connected by a light, inextensible string passing over a smooth fixed pulley. Initially both masses hang vertically, 30cm above the ground. If the system is released from rest find the greatest height reached above ground by the 400g mass.
Homework Equations
F = ma and the suvat equations
The Attempt at a Solution
Using common sense I figured the highest it could go would be 60cm, because after the 600g mass has come down 30cm, it will be on the ground and cannot go down any more but the answer in the back of the book says 66cm. I can't see how the 600g mass can go down 36cm without going into the ground?
I'm not sure how to do it otherwise, my guess is to work out the acceleration using F = ma then use the suvat equations somehow.