In a simple Atwood machine, two unequal masses m₁ and m₂ are connected by a string going over a clamped light smooth pulley. In a setup where m₁ = 300 g and m₂ = 600 g , the system is released from rest. Find the force exerted by the clamp on the pulley.

Step-by-step solution

Given: m₁ = 300 g = 0.3 kg m₂ = 600 g = 0.6 kg Acceleration due to gravity, g = 9.8 m/s ^2 The tension T in the string of a simple Atwood machine is given by: T = 2 m₁ m₂ m₁ + m₂ g Substituting the given values: T = 2 0.3 0.6 0.3 + 0.6 9.8 T = 0.36 0.9 9.8 T = 0.4 9.8 = 3.92 N The pulley is light (massless), so the net force on it is zero. The upward force exerted by the clamp on the pulley must balance the total downward force acting on the pulley due to the tension in the two segments of the string. Force exerted