- #1
fontseeker
Homework Statement
The pulley in an Atwood's machine is given an upward acceleration *a*, as shown below. Find the acceleration of each mass and the tension in the string that connects them. Hint: a constant upward acceleration has the same effect as an increase in the acceleration due to gravity
Find the acceleration of blocks 1 and 2 in both a non-inertial frame of reference (an observer accelerating with the machine) and an inertial frame of reference (observer at earth)
Homework Equations
F = ma
The Attempt at a Solution
I solved the question successfully for the observer at earth. I got the following for my acceleration equations:Those equations are right for the inertial frame of reference portion. However, now that I am trying to solve for the acceleration of block 1 and 2 in a non-inertial frame of reference, I am unsure on how to consider acceleration.
I though of the following (for the non-inertial portion):
1) Since the observer is moving with the machine, could I just cancel out the added acceleration and use g (9.8 m/s^2) for the acceleration of the system
2) I was told that acceleration was absolute. So then the acceleration of a non-inertial frame and an inertial frame would be the same, meaning from both perspectives the acceleration would be (a+g)
I am not sure on how to consider the acceleration of the machine when the observe is moving with the machine. (accelerating with it).