- #1
tonicandgin
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Homework Statement
m1 and m2 are connected by a massless string wrapped around a massless pulley. An external force F is applied to the pulley. m1 does not equal m2
find the acceleration of each mass, the tension in the string, and the acceleration of the pulley.
F external and m1 and m2 are known.
there is no gravity or friction in the problem.
Homework Equations
F=ma
The Attempt at a Solution
What I've worked out so far is that we must consider two reference frames to determine the accelerations. If we can calculate the acceleration of the pulley and the acceleration of one of the masses, the acceleration of the other mass should be determined.
If we consider the pulley's reference frame, one of the masses will be accelerating toward the pulley and the other mass will be accelerating with an equal and opposite acceleration.
If we consider m1, we see the pulley accelerating toward m1 and m2 accelerating with an equal acceleration.
how can we combine these two reference frames to determine the accelerations in the lab frame?
is the acceleration of the center of mass of the system relevant?