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In the Atwood\'s machine of the figure, the two masses shown are initially at re

ID: 2141314 • Letter: I

Question

In the Atwood's machine of the figure, the two masses shown are initially at rest at the same height. After they are released, the large mass, m2, falls through a height h and hits the floor, and the small mass, m1, rises through a height h. The mass m2 remains at rest once it hits the floor, but the mass m1 continues moving upward. How much higher does m1 go after m2 has landed? Give your answer for the case h = 1.5 m, m1 = 3.4 kg, and m2 = 4.1 kg.   m

In the Atwood's machine of the figure, the two masses shown are initially at rest at the same height. After they are released, the large mass, m2, falls through a height h and hits the floor, and the small mass, m1, rises through a height h. The mass m2 remains at rest once it hits the floor, but the mass m1 continues moving upward. How much higher does m1 go after m2 has landed? Give your answer for the case h = 1.5 m, m1 = 3.4 kg, and m2 = 4.1 kg.

Explanation / Answer

conserving energy,

(m2-m1)*g*h = 0.5*(m1+m2)*v^2

So, v= sqrt((4.1-3.4)*9.8*1.5*2/(4.1+3.4)) = 1.66 m/s


Again conserving energy,

0.5*m1*v^2 = m1*g*h'

So, h' = v^2/2g = 1.66^2/(2*9.8) = 0.14 m <-----------answer