---
title: "Block 1 of mass \\(m\\) and Block 2 of mass \\(3m\\) are connected by a light string that passes over a pulley of mass \\(M\\) and radius \\(R\\), as shown. The pulley is a uniform disk with rotational inertia \\(I = \\dfrac{1}{2}MR^2\\) and rotates with negligible friction. The system is released from rest, and Block 2 accelerates downward. The experiment is repeated using a pulley with the same radius \\(R\\) but a mass of \\(2M\\). How do the magnitude of the acceleration of Block 2 and the tension in the string segment attached to Block 2 in the second experiment compare to the first experiment?  | | Acceleration of Block 2 | Tension in segment for Block 2 | |—|—|—| | (A) | Decreases | Increases | | (B) | Decreases | Decreases | | (C) | Increases | Increases | | (D) | Stays the same | Stays the same |"
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url: "https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/112037/"
date_modified: "2026-04-17T19:16:13+00:00"
---

# Block 1 of mass \(m\) and Block 2 of mass \(3m\) are connected by a light string that passes over a pulley of mass \(M\) and radius \(R\), as shown. The pulley is a uniform disk with rotational inertia \(I = \dfrac{1}{2}MR^2\) and rotates with negligible friction. The system is released from rest, and Block 2 accelerates downward. The experiment is repeated using a pulley with the same radius \(R\) but a mass of \(2M\). How do the magnitude of the acceleration of Block 2 and the tension in the string segment attached to Block 2 in the second experiment compare to the first experiment?

| | Acceleration of Block 2 | Tension in segment for Block 2 |
|—|—|—|
| (A) | Decreases | Increases |
| (B) | Decreases | Decreases |
| (C) | Increases | Increases |
| (D) | Stays the same | Stays the same |

Block 1 of mass \(m\) and Block 2 of mass \(3m\) are connected by a light string that passes over a pulley of mass \(M\) and radius \(R\), as shown. The pulley is a uniform disk with rotational inertia \(I = \dfrac{1}{2}MR^2\) and rotates with negligible friction. The system is released from rest, and Block 2 accelerates downward. The experiment is repeated using a pulley with the same radius \(R\) but a mass of \(2M\). How do the magnitude of the acceleration of Block 2 and the tension in the string segment attached to Block 2 in the second experiment compare to the first experiment?

| | Acceleration of Block 2 | Tension in segment for Block 2 |
|---|---|---|
| (A) | Decreases | Increases |
| (B) | Decreases | Decreases |
| (C) | Increases | Increases |
| (D) | Stays the same | Stays the same |

![An Atwood machine setup. A circular pulley of mass M and radius R is mounted on a horizontal axle. A string passes over the pulley. On the left side of the pulley, Block 1 with mass m hangs. On the right side, Block 2 with mass 3m hangs lower than Block 1. The string segments are vertical.](https://nerd-notes.com/wp-content/uploads/ubq-frq-generated/stem-fig-1-1776453373-xI8ilb.jpg)

- **A.** | Acceleration of Block 2 | Tension in segment for Block 2 | |---|---| | Decreases | Increases |
- **B.** | Acceleration of Block 2 | Tension in segment for Block 2 | |---|---| | Decreases | Decreases |
- **C.** | Acceleration of Block 2 | Tension in segment for Block 2 | |---|---| | Increases | Increases |
- **D.** | Acceleration of Block 2 | Tension in segment for Block 2 | |---|---| | Stays the same | Stays the same |

*The answer key and step-by-step explanation are available to logged-in users at https://nerd-notes.com/ubq/112037/*