Course home

2 Unit 2: Applied Mathematics A

Two particles $P\,$ and $Q$ , of masses 3m kg and $m\,$ kg respectively, are connected by a light inextensible string.

The string passes over a smooth fixed pulley, and both particles hang freely with the string vertical on both sides of the pulley.

The system is released from rest with the string taut.

Show that the magnitude of the acceleration of each particle is $12g\displaystyle \frac12 g$ .

[4]

Hence show that the tension in the string is $32mg\displaystyle \frac32 mg$ .

[2]

2 Unit 2: Applied Mathematics A Questions

Two particles $P\,$ and $Q$ , of masses 3m kg and $m\,$ kg respectively, are connected by a light inextensible string.

The string passes over a smooth fixed pulley, and both particles hang freely with the string vertical on both sides of the pulley.

The system is released from rest with the string taut.

Show that the magnitude of the acceleration of each particle is $12g\displaystyle \frac12 g$ .

[4]

Hence show that the tension in the string is $32mg\displaystyle \frac32 mg$ .

[2]