Answer:
a = 4.64 m/s²
Explanation:
Given that,
Larger mass, M = 4.2 Kg
Smaller mass, m = 1.5 Kg
Friction of pulley = 0
Acceleration of the masses, a = ?
In an Atwood's machine,
Tension in the string, T
Acceleration due to gravity, g
The net force on the smaller mass is, f = T - mg ( f = ma)
The net force on the larger mass is, F = Mg -T (F = Ma)
Since the acceleration 'a' of the two masses remains the same, the equations can be solved to a.
Adding the above equations
ma + Ma = Mg -mg
a (m + M) = (M - m) g
[tex]a = \frac{M - m}{ M + m} g[/tex]
Substituting the values in the above equation
[tex]a = \frac{4.2 - 1.5}{ 4.2 + 1.5} 9.8[/tex]
= 4.64 m/s²
Hence, the acceleration of the masses, a = 4.64 m/s²