- #1
EzequielSeattle
- 25
- 0
Homework Statement
Two blocks, of masses m1 and m2 (with m1<m2) are attached by a massless string of fixed length that runs over a pulley which is free to rotate about its fixed center. The pulley has mass m3, radius r3, and rotational moment of inertia I = (2/3) m3 r3^2 about its center (it is a non-uniform disk). The string does not slip on the pulley. Give the downward acceleration of m2 in terms of the quantities above.
Homework Equations
F=ma
α=aR
τ=Iα
The Attempt at a Solution
I drew FBD's for each object. The forces acting on m2 are going to be m1g in the upward direction and m2g in the downward direction. I'm just not sure how to incorporate the pulley in here. The torque exerted on the pulley is Iα, so (2/3)m3r3^2*α. It will also be r x F, so r3 x (m2g-m1g). I'm just not sure where to go from here...