In the arrangement shown in figure find the tensions in the rope and accelerations of the masses m1 and m2 and pulleys P1 and P2 when the system is set free to move. Assume the pulleys to be massless and strings are light and inextensible.
p) T (i) m1g
q) a1 (ii) m2g
r) a2 (iii) (m1 - m2)g
s) ap1 (iv) g downward
t) ap2 (v) g upward
(vi) 3g downward
p -(i); q-(iv); r- (iv); s-(vi); t-(iv)
Free body diagrams
Applying the equations of motion for pulleys and blocks
For m1: T - m1g=m1a1 ........(i)
For m2: m2g−T2=m2a2 .........(ii)
For pulley P1: 2T - T = 0×ap1 ...(iii)
For pulley P2:T2−2T=0×ap2 ....(iv)
From Eq (iii), T = 0; From Eq. (iv), T2=0, and from Eqs. (i) and (ii), a1=−g
Also a2=g. Hence block m1andm2 both will move down with acceleration g in downward direction.
Calculating ap1 and ap2:
ap2 will be same as the acceleration of block m2 so ap2=a2=g
Constraint relations:
Consider the reference line and the position vectors of the pulleys and masses as shown in figure write the length of the rope in terms of position vectors and differentiate it to obtain the relations between accelerations of the masses and pulleys.
·For the length of the string connecting P2 and m2 not to change and for this rope not to slacken. ap2=a2=g.
Length of the string connecting P1 to m1 not to change and for this rope not to slacken:
l=(x1−xp1)+xp1+(xp2−xp1)+xp2
Differentiating this equation with respect to, t twice,
we get d2ldt2=d2x1dt2−d2xp1dt2+2d2xpzdt2⇒0=−a1+ap1+2apz
d2x1dt=−V as x1 is decreasing by our assumed acceleration
dxp1dt=−Vp1 as P1 is decreasing by our assumed acceleration
dxp2dt=Vp2
Now a1=−g
ap2=a2=g
⇒ap1=−3g