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Inclined Massive Atwood Pulley (Frictionless)

Unit: Torque and Rotational Dynamics

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Part 1

A block of mass m1m_1 rests on a frictionless incline at angle θ\theta above the horizontal. It is connected by a light, inextensible rope over a pulley of mass MM and radius RR to a second block of mass m2m_2 that hangs freely. The rope does not slip on the pulley.

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Let T1T_1 be the tension in the rope on the incline side and T2T_2 be the tension on the hanging side. Derive expressions for T1T_1 and T2T_2 in terms of m1m_1, m2m_2, gg, θ\theta, and the linear acceleration aa of the blocks.

Correct!

Solution:

Consider each block separately using Newton's second law.

Block on the incline (m1m_1):

The free body diagram for m1m_1 shows three forces:

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Along the incline, the forces are T1T_1 up the incline and m1gsinθm_1 g\sin\theta down the incline. Since the hanging mass accelerates downward, m1m_1 accelerates up the incline with magnitude aa. Taking up the incline as positive,

F=T1m1gsinθ=m1a\sum F_{\parallel} = T_1 - m_1 g\sin\theta = m_1 a

Solving for T1T_1 gives

T1=m1gsinθ+m1aT_1 = m_1 g\sin\theta + m_1 a

Hanging block (m2m_2):

The free body diagram for m2m_2 shows two forces:

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The forces are m2gm_2 g downward and T2T_2 upward. Taking downward as positive (consistent with the given acceleration direction),

F=m2gT2=m2a\sum F = m_2 g - T_2 = m_2 a

Solving for T2T_2 gives

T2=m2gm2aT_2 = m_2 g - m_2 a

Note that T1T2T_1 \neq T_2 because the pulley has mass and rotational inertia; the difference in tensions provides the net torque needed to angularly accelerate the pulley.

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