- #1
volcore
- 39
- 2
- Homework Statement
- Two blocks are hung by a string draped over a pulley, a 1.0-kg block on the left and a 3.5-kg block on the right. The two blocks start out at rest and at the same height.
What is the change in the gravitational potential energy of the system of blocks and Earth when the 3.5-kg block has dropped 0.54 m ?
What is the velocity of the 1.0-kg block at this instant?
Express your answer with the appropriate units.
- Relevant Equations
- k=mgh
k=0.5mv^2
I calculated the system's change in gravitational potential energy through the equation k=mgh. I used this equation twice, once for the 3.5 kg block with k =(3.5)(9.8)(-0.54) and once for the 1.0kg block, k = (9.8)(1.0). I got -18.522J & 5.292. Is the change just -18.522 - 5.292 J?
Furthermore, to calculate the velocity, I tried using k = 0.5mv^2 with k = 5.292 & m = 1.0, getting a velocity of 3.3m/s, which is apparently wrong. What am I missing?
Furthermore, to calculate the velocity, I tried using k = 0.5mv^2 with k = 5.292 & m = 1.0, getting a velocity of 3.3m/s, which is apparently wrong. What am I missing?