AP Physics Unit

Unit 2 - Linear Forces

Intermediate

Mathematical

GQ

Two objects (49.0 and 24.0 kg) are connected by a massless string that passes over a massless, frictionless pulley. The pulley hangs from the ceiling. Find the acceleration of the objects and the tension in the string.

3.36 m/s2, T = 316 N

Objective: Calculate the acceleration of the two objects and the tension in the string.

For Acceleration

Step Formula Derivation Reasoning
1 \text{Force on heavier mass, } F_1 = m_1g Weight of the heavier object (49.0 kg).
2 \text{Force on lighter mass, } F_2 = m_2g Weight of the lighter object (24.0 kg).
3 \text{Net force, } F_{\text{net}} = F_1 – F_2 The difference in weights provides the net force.
4 F_{\text{net}} = m_1g – m_2g Substitute the values of F_1 and F_2.
5 F_{\text{net}} = (m_1 – m_2)g Factor out g.
6 a = \frac{F_{\text{net}}}{m_1 + m_2} Newton’s second law, acceleration equals net force divided by total mass.
7 a = \frac{(m_1 – m_2)g}{m_1 + m_2} Combine steps 5 and 6.
8 a = \frac{(49.0\text{ kg} – 24.0\text{ kg})(9.8\text{ m/s}^2)}{49.0\text{ kg} + 24.0\text{ kg}} Substitute the masses and gravitational acceleration.
9 a = \frac{25.0\text{ kg} \times 9.8\text{ m/s}^2}{73.0\text{ kg}} Simplify the equation.
10 a = 3.356\text{ m/s}^2 Calculate to find acceleration.

Final answer for acceleration: \boxed{a = 3.356\text{ m/s}^2}

For Tension in the String

Step Formula Derivation Reasoning
1 T – m_2g = m_2a Newton’s second law for the lighter object.
2 T = m_2a + m_2g Rearrange to solve for tension, T.
3 T = m_2(a + g) Factor out m_2.
4 T = 24.0\text{ kg}(3.356\text{ m/s}^2 + 9.8\text{ m/s}^2) Substitute the mass of the lighter object and calculated acceleration.
5 T = 24.0\text{ kg} \times 13.156\text{ m/s}^2 Add a and g.
6 T = 315.744\text{ N} Calculate to find tension.

Final answer for tension: \boxed{T = 315.744\text{ N}}

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3.36 m/s2, T = 316 N

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Nerd-Notes.com
KinematicsForces
\Delta x = v_i \cdot t + \frac{1}{2} a \cdot t^2F = m \cdot a
v = v_i + a \cdot tF_g = \frac{G \cdot m_1 \cdot m_2}{r^2}
a = \frac{\Delta v}{\Delta t}f = \mu \cdot N
R = \frac{v_i^2 \cdot \sin(2\theta)}{g} 
Circular MotionEnergy
F_c = \frac{m \cdot v^2}{r}KE = \frac{1}{2} m \cdot v^2
a_c = \frac{v^2}{r}PE = m \cdot g \cdot h
 KE_i + PE_i = KE_f + PE_f
MomentumTorque and Rotations
p = m \cdot v\tau = r \cdot F \cdot \sin(\theta)
J = \Delta pI = \sum m \cdot r^2
p_i = p_fL = I \cdot \omega
Simple Harmonic Motion
F = -k \cdot x
T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{l}{g}}
T = 2\pi \sqrt{\frac{m}{k}}
ConstantDescription
gAcceleration due to gravity, typically 9.8 , \text{m/s}^2 on Earth’s surface
GUniversal Gravitational Constant, 6.674 \times 10^{-11} , \text{N} \cdot \text{m}^2/\text{kg}^2
\mu_k and \mu_sCoefficients of kinetic (\mu_k) and static (\mu_s) friction, dimensionless. Static friction (\mu_s) is usually greater than kinetic friction (\mu_k) as it resists the start of motion.
kSpring constant, in \text{N/m}
VariableSI Unit
s (Displacement)\text{meters (m)}
v (Velocity)\text{meters per second (m/s)}
a (Acceleration)\text{meters per second squared (m/s}^2\text{)}
t (Time)\text{seconds (s)}
m (Mass)\text{kilograms (kg)}
VariableDerived SI Unit
F (Force)\text{newtons (N)}
E, PE, KE (Energy, Potential Energy, Kinetic Energy)\text{joules (J)}
P (Power)\text{watts (W)}
p (Momentum)\text{kilogram meters per second (kg·m/s)}
\omega (Angular Velocity)\text{radians per second (rad/s)}
\tau (Torque)\text{newton meters (N·m)}
I (Moment of Inertia)\text{kilogram meter squared (kg·m}^2\text{)}
f (Frequency)\text{hertz (Hz)}

General Metric Conversion Chart

Example of using unit analysis: Convert 5 kilometers to millimeters. 

  1. Start with the given measurement: \text{5 km}

  2. Use the conversion factors for kilometers to meters and meters to millimeters: \text{5 km} \times \frac{10^3 \, \text{m}}{1 \, \text{km}} \times \frac{10^3 \, \text{mm}}{1 \, \text{m}}

  3. Perform the multiplication: \text{5 km} \times \frac{10^3 \, \text{m}}{1 \, \text{km}} \times \frac{10^3 \, \text{mm}}{1 \, \text{m}} = 5 \times 10^3 \times 10^3 \, \text{mm}

  4. Simplify to get the final answer: \boxed{5 \times 10^6 \, \text{mm}}

Prefix

Symbol

Power of Ten

Equivalent

Pico-

p

10^{-12}

Nano-

n

10^{-9}

Micro-

µ

10^{-6}

Milli-

m

10^{-3}

Centi-

c

10^{-2}

Deci-

d

10^{-1}

(Base unit)

10^{0}

Deca- or Deka-

da

10^{1}

Hecto-

h

10^{2}

Kilo-

k

10^{3}

Mega-

M

10^{6}

Giga-

G

10^{9}

Tera-

T

10^{12}

  1. Some answers may be slightly off by 1% depending on rounding, etc.
  2. Answers will use different values of gravity. Some answers use 9.81 m/s2, and other 10 m/s2 for calculations.
  3. Variables are sometimes written differently from class to class. For example, sometime initial velocity v_i is written as u ; sometimes \Delta x is written as s .
  4. Bookmark questions that you can’t solve so you can come back to them later. 
  5. Always get help if you can’t figure out a problem. The sooner you can get it cleared up the better chances of you not getting it wrong on a test!
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