- #1
erisedk
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Homework Statement
Two particle of mass m each are tied at the ends of a light string of length 2a. The whole system is kept on a frictionless horizontal surface with the string held tight so that each mass is at a distance ‘a’ from the center P (as shown in the figure). Now, the mid-point of the string is pulled vertically upwards with a small but constant force F. As a result, the particles move towards each other on the surface. The magnitude of acceleration, when the separation between them becomes 2x is
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_lRKubY9oOyI/RrGGAxqjRUI/AAAAAAAAAHQ/TtdYi47lpDc/s1600-h/Newton
2Tsinθ = F
T = F/2sinθ
where sinθ = (a2 - x2)1/2 / a
Net force on each particle is T.
So T = maacceleration
So, aacceleration = F/2msinθ
However, the answer is F/2mtanθ. I don't get why. Please help?