Question

Two masses 7
kg and 12 kg are
connected at the
two ends of a
light inextensible
string that passes
over a frictionless
pulley as shown
in Fig. 3.11. Find
the acceleration
of the masses
and the tension
in the string when
the masses are
released.​

Answer 1

Explanation:

The equation of motion for mass M

1

: M

1

a=T−M

1

g ...(1)

and for mass M

2

: M

2

a=M

2

g−T ....(2)

(1)+(2)⇒a(M

1

+M

2

)=(M

2

−M

1

)g

or a=

M

1

+M

2

(M

2

−M

1

)g

=

7+12

(12−7)(10)

=(50/19)m/s

2

From (1), T=M

1

(a+g)=7(50/19+10)=88.42N