Question

Two objects are connected by a string that passes over a frictionless pulley as in the figure below, where m1 < m2 and a1 and a2 are the respective magnitudes of the accelerations. Which mathematical statement is true concerning the magnitude of the acceleration a2 of mass m2?
1. a2 = g
2. a2 < g
3. a2 > g
4. a2 > a1
5. a2 < a1

Answer 1

Answer:2

Explanation:

Given

$m_2>m_1$

and $a_1$ and $a_2$ are the acceleration of 1 and 2

Suppose  T is the Tension

then for block 2

$m_2g-T=m_2a$

$m_2(g-a)=T---1$

For block 1

$T-m_1g=m_1a$

$T=m_1(g+a)----2$

equate 1 and 2

$m_2(g-a)=m_1(g+a)$

$a=\frac{m_2-m_1}{m_1+m_2}$

where $a=a_1=a_2$

thus we can see that a is less than g

therefore $a_2 < g$