Inclined Massive Atwood Pulley (Frictionless)
Unit: Torque and Rotational Dynamics
Later Topics
Multi-Step Problem Preview
Part 1 of 5 — sign up to solve the full problem!
Part 1
A block of mass rests on a frictionless incline at angle above the horizontal. It is connected by a light, inextensible rope over a pulley of mass and radius to a second block of mass that hangs freely. The rope does not slip on the pulley.
Let be the tension in the rope on the incline side and be the tension on the hanging side. Derive expressions for and in terms of , , , , and the linear acceleration of the blocks.
Correct!
Consider each block separately using Newton's second law.
Block on the incline ():
The free body diagram for shows three forces:
Along the incline, the forces are up the incline and down the incline. Since the hanging mass accelerates downward, accelerates up the incline with magnitude . Taking up the incline as positive,
Solving for gives
Hanging block ():
The free body diagram for shows two forces:
The forces are downward and upward. Taking downward as positive (consistent with the given acceleration direction),
Solving for gives
Note that because the pulley has mass and rotational inertia; the difference in tensions provides the net torque needed to angularly accelerate the pulley.
Want to solve all 5 parts?
Sign up for a free account to work through the complete multi-step problem with instant feedback!
Ready to Start Learning?
Sign up now to access the full Inclined Massive Atwood Pulley (Frictionless) lesson and our entire curriculum!