Question

Acceleration of a Mass in a Pulley System

Block 1 of mass m1 slides on a frictionless plane inclined at angle θ with respect to the horizontal. One end of a massless inextensible string is attached to block 1. The string is wound around a frictionless movable pulley P of negligible mass and is also attached to the wall at the base of the inclined plane. Pulley P is connected by a second massless inextensible string to block 2 of mass m2 via a second, frictionless pulley that is fixed in place. Block 2 hangs over the end of the inclined plane (see figure). The downward gravitational acceleration is g.

What is the magnitude of the acceleration of block 2 after the system is released from rest? Assume that m2 is large enough so that it is moving down. Express your answer in terms of theta for θ, m1, m2, and g.

a2= ?

Answer 1

thanks