Two masses of 3 kg and 2 kg are attached to the ends of a light inextensible string passing over a smooth fixed pulley. The system is released from rest. What is the distance travelled by the heavier mass in the first 2 seconds ? (Take g = 10 m/s ^2 )

Step-by-step solution

The acceleration a of an Atwood machine with masses m₁ and m₂ ( m₁ > m₂ ) is given by: a = m₁ - m₂ m₁ + m₂ g Substituting the given values ( m₁ = 3 kg , m₂ = 2 kg , g = 10 m/s ^2 ): a = 3 - 2 3 + 2 10 = 1 5 10 = 2 m/s ^2 The system starts from rest, so initial velocity u = 0 . The distance s travelled in time t = 2 s is: s = ut + 1 2 at^2 s = 0 + 1 2 2 (2)^2 s = 4 m Answer: 4 m