Solving Acceleration of Blocks in Pulley System

In summary, the conversation is about finding the acceleration of each block in a pulley system using the equations F=ma and drawing free body diagrams. The missing piece is determining the relationship between the accelerations of the two blocks, m1 and m2, in terms of their respective accelerations and the force of gravity. The conversation also includes a clarification of the images used to represent the pulley system.
  • #1
Thomas_
21
0

Homework Statement


Pulley System:
Code:
B-------O	////
//////	|	|
	|	|
	|	|
	 ---O---
	    |
	    B

O = Pulley
B = Block

Find the acceleration of each block in terms of m1,m2 and g.

Homework Equations


F = ma

The Attempt at a Solution


I drew free body diagrams for each block and ended up with:

Block 1: T1 = m1a1

Block 2: m2g - T2 =m2a2
T2 = 2T1

However, this is not enough to cancel out all a2's / a1's. What piece am I missing here?
 
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  • #2
Thomas_ said:
However, this is not enough to cancel out all a2's / a1's. What piece am I missing here?
What's the relationship between a_1 and a_2? If m1 has an acceleration of +a to the right, what must the acceleration of m2 be?
 
  • #3
not much is clear from that picture.. mind clarifying it a lil bit??
 
  • #4
Doc Al said:
What's the relationship between a_1 and a_2? If m1 has an acceleration of +a to the right, what must the acceleration of m2 be?
The same?

ank_gl said:
not much is clear from that picture.. mind clarifying it a lil bit??
I'm sorry, sure.

http://img299.imageshack.us/img299/3518/clipboard01kg4.th.jpg
 
Last edited by a moderator:
  • #5
Thomas_ said:
The same?
No. If m_1 moves a distance L to the right, how far down does m_2 move? (You might find it helpful to play around with a piece of string. I'm not kidding.) You need to determine the magnitude and direction of the acceleration of m_2 in terms of the acceleration of m_1.
 

Related to Solving Acceleration of Blocks in Pulley System

1. What is a pulley system?

A pulley is a simple machine that consists of a wheel with a groove around its circumference and a rope or cable that runs over the groove. It is used to change the direction of a force and can also provide mechanical advantage by reducing the amount of force needed to lift an object.

2. How do you calculate the acceleration of blocks in a pulley system?

The acceleration of blocks in a pulley system can be calculated by using the formula a = (m1 - m2)/(m1 + m2) * g, where m1 and m2 are the masses of the two blocks and g is the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2).

3. What are the factors that affect the acceleration in a pulley system?

The acceleration in a pulley system is affected by the mass of the blocks, the tension in the rope, and the friction between the pulley and the rope. The angle of the rope and the shape and weight of the pulley can also have an impact on the acceleration.

4. How does the number of pulleys in a system affect the acceleration?

The number of pulleys in a system does not affect the acceleration. However, using more pulleys can reduce the amount of force needed to lift an object by increasing the mechanical advantage of the system. This can also decrease the acceleration due to the increased distance the rope has to travel.

5. Are there any real-life applications of solving for acceleration in pulley systems?

Yes, pulley systems are commonly used in various industries such as construction, transportation, and manufacturing. They are also used in everyday objects like elevators, cranes, and even exercise machines. Understanding the acceleration in pulley systems can help optimize their design and efficiency.

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