Two bodies of mass $4 ext{ kg}$ and $6 ext{ kg}$ are tied to the ends of a massless string. The string passe

Question

Two bodies of mass $4	ext{ kg}$ and $6	ext{ kg}$ are tied to the ends of a massless string. The string passes over a pulley which is frictionless (see figure). The acceleration of the system in terms of acceleration due to gravity (g) is :

Accepted Answer

The acceleration of an Atwood machine is given by $a = \frac{(m_2 - m_1)g}{m_1 + m_2}$ where $m_2 > m_1$. Here $m_2 = 6	ext{ kg}$ and $m_1 = 4	ext{ kg}$. So, $a = \frac{(6 - 4)g}{6 + 4} = \frac{2g}{10} = \frac{g}{5}$.

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