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Course: AP®︎/College Physics 1 > Unit 1

Lesson 3: Systems
Science
AP®︎/College Physics 1
Kinematics and introduction to dynamics
Systems
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Systems

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Problem

In the diagram below, Block 2 has twice the mass of Block 1. Assume that the pulley is frictionless and that both the rope and pulley are massless. Use g=9.8ms2.
Two masses are connected by a string and pulley. Mass one is represented by a box hanging from the left side of the pulley. Mass two is represented by a larger box hanging from the right side of the pulley. Mass two hangs farther down than mass one.
Calculate the magnitude of acceleration of the blocks.
Write your answer using two significant figures.
  • Your answer should be
  • an integer, like 6
  • a simplified proper fraction, like 3/5
  • a simplified improper fraction, like 7/4
  • a mixed number, like 1 3/4
  • an exact decimal, like 0.75
  • a multiple of pi, like 12 pi or 2/3 pi
ms2