Question

A yo-yo is relased from your hand with the string wrapped around your finger. If you hold your hand still, the acceleration of the yo-yo is :

• A. downward, much greater than g
• B. downward, much less than g
• C. upward, much less than g
• D. upward, much greater than g

Answer 1

The correct option is B downward, much less than g

When the yo-yo is released, there are two forces acting on it- tension along the string in the upward direction, and gravity in the downward direction. All forces are along the vertical, and the net force gives us gravity minus tension if down is the positive direction i.e. $mg-T=ma$. Thus acceleration would be downwards much less than g.