Two bodies of mass 4 kg and 6 kg are tied to the ends of a massless string. The string passes over a pulley which is frictionless (see figure). The acceleration of the system in terms of acceleration due to gravity ($g$) is:

A $g/2$

B $g/5$

C $g/10$

D $g$

The answer is B.

Solution

$a = \frac{(m_1 - m_2)g}{m_1 + m_2}$, where $m_1 > m_2$ $a = \frac{(6 - 4)g}{6 + 4} = \frac{g}{5}$

Concept acceleration of an Atwood machine

72 questions from this chapter have appeared across 27 exam years.