Blocks of 2 kg and 6 kg hang on a light string over a smooth pulley…

Contributed by StemPy Lab

Try it on paper first. A hint, the key idea and the worked solution are here when you need them.

Blocks of $2\ \text{kg}$ and $6\ \text{kg}$ hang on a light string over a smooth pulley. Find the acceleration of the blocks and the tension in the string. Use $g = 9.8\ \text{m/s}^2$ .

Need a reminder? The key ideaShow

Newton's second law: $F = ma$ , where $F$ is the net force. Plan: draw the forces, find the net force, use $a = F/m$ , then the equations of motion ( $v = u + at$ , $s = ut + \tfrac12 at^2$ , $v^2 = u^2 + 2as$ ).

The worked solution

Have you tried it?

Work it out on paper first. It is fine to get stuck or make a mistake: that is how we learn. When you are ready, go through the solution one step at a time, and check each step against your own.

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