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rk2658
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Homework Statement
A mass M1 of 3kG is suspended from one corner by a fixed rope, 1, and from another corner by a rope, 2 which passes over a pulley and is connected to a mass M2 of 2kG, and
suppose that at time t = 0 both masses are at rest and the angles made by the
ropes are each π/4 = 45 degrees. Neglect friction in the pulley and the mass of the rope.
This situation is not stable. The blocks will start to move. Please determine the
acceleration of mass 1.
A picture of this is on this page
http://phys.columbia.edu/~millis/1601/assignments/PHYC1601Fall2011Assignment4.pdf
Homework Equations
F= ma
The Attempt at a Solution
Okay so I was able to break up to the forces for both masses.
For the mass of 3 kgs:
Fy= (T1+T2)sin(45) - 30= 3ay
Fx= (T2-T1)cos(45)= 3ax
For the mass of 2 kgs:
Fy=T1-20= 2a
Also since the accelerations of both masses must be the same I know that:
ay^2 + ax^2 =a ^2
Also I'm supposed to use the fact that since one rope is attached to a wall it doesn't move so that the distance traveled only really happens with pulley.
I don't know what to do from here, any help would be greatly appreciated. Thank you.
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