Physics 141

Solutions for Problem Set 4

Due Monday, October 27

Problem 1 (2.1 from K&K)

m= 5 kg, F~ = (4t2 ~i 3t ~j) N, where t is time in seconds. ~v (0) = 0 m/sec, ~r(0)
= ~0 m.
~
F
Velocity is calculated by integrated the acceleration ~a(t) = m
:
Z t
Z t 2 ~
4t i 3t ~j
4
3
~v (t) = ~v (0) +
~adt =
dt = t3 ~i t2 ~j
(1)
m
15
10
0
0
The position is obtained by integrating over the velocity:
Z t
Z t
4
3
t4 ~i t3 ~j
( t3 ~i t2 ~j)dt =
~v (t)dt =
~r(t) = ~r(0)

10
15
10
0 15
0

(2)

The vector product ~r ~v is

~i
~j
4
3
~r ~v = t /15 t /10
4t3 /15 3t2 /10

~k
t6
0 =
150
0

(3)

Problem 2 (2.2 from K&K)

There is no friction.
The blocks (See Figure 1) will move with the same velocity and acceleration after
being released from rest. Directions of the accelerations are different though their
amplitudes are the same (a1 = a2 ) since the blocks are connected with a string. The
first block is acceleration towards the positive direction of the x-axis. The second block
is accelerating downward along the direction of the gravitational force.
Forces acting on the 1st block along the x-axis:
M1 a1 = T

(4)

Forces acting on the 2st block along the gravitational force:

M2 a2 = M2 g T

(5)

We obtain:
(M1 + M2 ) a1 = M2 g
M2
a1 = a2 = g
M1 + M2
The acceleration is constant so the block M1 slides for
x(t) =

M2 g t2
.
2(M1 + M2 )
1

(6)
(7)

(8)

Figure 1: A system of the two blocks. The string has negligible mass. There is no
friction.

Problem 3 (2.5 from K&K)

Vector ~a represents the acceleration of block M (See Figure 2); the acceleration of
block m is ~a. Vector T~ is tension in the rope. Lets write down equations for the
second Newtons law for the both blocks:
M~a = M~g + T~

(9)

m~a = m~g + T~

(10)

Figure 2: The Atwoods machine.

The projection of the equation on the x-axis is
Ma = Mg T

(11)

ma = mg T

(12)

By solving the equations we obtain:

a=
and
T =

M
g
M +m

(13)

M m
2g.
M +m

(14)

Problem 4 (2.13 from K&K)

Figure 3: Masses m1 , and m2 are connected to a system of strings and pulleys as

shown. The strings are massless and inextensible, and the pulleys are massless and
frictionless.
We have to find acceleration of m1 (See Figure 3) denoted as a~1 . Acceleration of
the second block is denoted as a~2 . The second Newtons law for the blocks states that
m1 a~1 = T~1 + m1~g and m2 a~2 = T~2 + m2~g .
The lower pulley introduces a kinematical constraint between the accelerations a1 =
a2 /2 since the strings are inextensible. The second Newtons law for the lower pulley
is T~1 2T~2 = ~0.
Lets project all the equations above on the x-axis.
a2 m2 = m2 g T2
a1 m1 = m1 g T1
T1
= 2T2
a2
= 2a1
Solving the equations for a1 gives us
a1 =

m1 2m2
g.
m1 + 4m2
4

(15)

Problem 5 (2.14 from K&K)

Accelerations of blocks A, B, and C (See Figure 4) are denoted as aA , aB , and aC ,
correspondingly. The vectors of the accelerations are projected along the sides of the
table.

Figure 4: Two masses, A and B, lie on a frictionless table. They are attached to
either end of a light rope of length l which passes around a pulley of negligible mass.
The pulley is attached to a rope connected to a hanging mass, C.
The second Newtons law gives us:
MA aA = T

(16)

MB aB = T

(17)

MC aC = MC g TC

(18)

TC 2T = 0

(19)

The kinematic constraint introduced by the block on the table is aC = (aA + aB )/2.
By solving the system of equations we find:
aA =

2g
,
1 + MA /MB + 4MA /MC

(20)

aB =

2g
1 + MB /MA + 4MB /MC

(21)

4gMC
.
MB
MC + 4 MMAA+M
B

(22)

and
aC =

Problem 6 (2.16 from K&K)

Figure 5: A 45 = wedge is pushed along a table with constant acceleration. A block

of mass m slides without friction on the wedge.
The second Newtons law for the sliding block states:
~ + m~g ,
m~a = N

(23)

~ is a reaction force. The vector N

~ is perpendicular to the surface of the wedge.
where N
Since the block slided along the wedge we can write a kinematical constraint1 on
the acceleration ~a = (ax , ay ):
ax = A ay cot().

(24)

The x- and y- projections of the second newtons law are

m ay = N cos() m g

(25)

m ax = N sin().

(26)

and
Tosimplify the algebra we can use the fact that cot 45 = 1 and cos 45 = sin 45 =
1/ 2. By solving the equations we obtain:
~a = (

A+g Ag
,
)
2
2

and

r
|~a| =

A2 + g 2
.
2

~ is parallel to the surface of the wedge.

We know that (~a A)

(27)

(28)