# Pulley with Kinematics in One Dimension Question

1. Nov 21, 2007

### jakecar

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

Two masses hanging vertically from a pulley are each initially 1.6 m above the ground and the massless frictionless pulley is 4.8 m above the ground. What maximum height does the lighter object reach after the system is released?

2. Relevant equations

$$\vec{F}_{net} = \Sigma \vec{F} = m \vec{a}$$

$$v = v_0 + a t$$

$$x = x_0 + v_0 t + (1/2) a t^2$$

$$v^2 = v_0^2 + 2 a \Delta x$$

3. The attempt at a solution

I already found the acceleration to be $$4.45\frac{m}{s^2}$$. Now I know that I have to figure out how high the lighter mass goes when the heavier mass is on the ground. The problem for me is that I can't find time t, velocity v, or final position x. Also, where does the given height of the pulley (4.8 m) come into play? Thanks for any help.

2. Nov 21, 2007

### Staff: Mentor

I presume you are given the two masses? In any case, what happens after the lower mass hits the ground?

3. Nov 21, 2007

### jakecar

One mass is 1.2 kg and the other is 3.2 kg. After the heavier mass hits the ground, the lighter mass stops at some unknown height. The lower mass never hits the ground. I can't seem to figure out how much time it takes for the heavier mass to hit the ground or with what velocity it hits the ground either.

4. Nov 21, 2007

### Staff: Mentor

When the heavier mass hits the ground, what happens to the force (and acceleration) of the lighter mass? (What happens to the tension in the string?)
I meant lower in height, not mass.
Why not? You have the acceleration and the distance traveled. You can also use energy conservation to find the final speed. (No need to find the time.)

5. Nov 21, 2007

### jakecar

I don't think I'm supposed to use energy conservation because we haven't learned that yet and it's not in the chapter that we're currently on. Using the kinematics equations, I can figure out the velocity of the lighter mass when it reaches the pulley if there was no ground. How can I use that information to figure out the maximum height of the lighter mass? How is the tension of the string related? Thanks for the help :)

6. Nov 21, 2007

### Staff: Mentor

Find the speed of the masses when the heavy one hits the ground.
If the string stopped pulling on the lighter mass, what would its acceleration be?