Question

Two masses 8 kg and 12 kg are connected at the two ends of a light inextensible string that goes over a frictionless pulley. Find the acceleration of the masses, and the tension in the string when the masses are released.

Answer 1

The given system of two masses and a pulley can be represented as shown in the following figure:

Smaller mass, m₁ = 8 kg 

Larger mass, m₂ = 12 kg

Tension in the string = T

Mass m_2, owing to its weight, moves downward with acceleration a, and mass m₁ moves upward.

Applying Newton’s second law of motion to the system of each mass:

For mass m₁: The equation of motion can be written as:

T – m₁g = ma …………………… (i)

For mass m₂: The equation of motion can be written as:

m₂g – T = m₂a ………………….… (ii)

Adding equations (i) and (ii), we get:

Therefore, the acceleration of the masses is 2 m/s² 

Substituting the value of a in equation (ii), we get:

Therefore, the tension in the string is 96 N.