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How to Find the Tension in a Pulley System

How to Find Tension & Acceleration in a Pulley System

Instructions
1.
o

1
Label the lighter of the two weights "1" and the heavier "2."

2
Draw arrows emanating from the weights representing the forces acting on
them. Both weights have a tension force "T" pulling up, as well as the
gravitational force pulling down. The force of gravity is equal to the mass
(labeled "m1" for weight 1 and "m2" for weight 2) of the weight times "g"
(equal to 9.8). Therefore, the gravitational force on the lighter weight is m1g,
and the force on the heavier weight is m2g.

3
Calculate the net force acting on the lighter weight. The net force is equal to
the tension force minus the gravitational force, since they pull in opposite
directions. In other words, Net force = Tension force - m1*g.

4
Calculate the net force acting on the heavier weight. The net force is equal to
the gravitational force minus the tension force, so Net force = m2*g - Tension
force. On this side, Tension is subtracted from mass times gravity rather than
the other way around because the direction of tension is opposite on
opposite sides of the pulley. This makes sense if you consider the weights
and string laid out horizontally -- the tension pulls in opposite directions.

5
Substitute (tension force - m1g) in for the net force in the equation net force
= m1acceleration (Newton's 2nd law states that Force = mass acceleration;
acceleration will be labeled "a" from here on). Tension force - m1g = m1a, or
Tension = m1g + m1*a.

Substitute the equation for tension from Step 5 into the equation from Step
4. Net force = m2g - (m1g + m1a). By Newton's 2nd law, Net Force = m2a.
By substitution, m2a = m2g - (m1g + m1a).
o

7
Find the acceleration of the system by solving for a: a(m1 + m2) = (m2 m1)g, so a = ((m2 - m1)*g) / (m1 + m2). In other words, the acceleration is
equal to 9.8 times the difference of the two masses, divided by the sum of
the two masses.

Other People Are Reading

How to Find the Tension in a Pulley System

How to Find Tension & Acceleration in a Pulley System

Instructions
1.
o

1
Label the lighter of the two weights "1" and the heavier "2."

2
Draw arrows emanating from the weights representing the forces acting on
them. Both weights have a tension force "T" pulling up, as well as the
gravitational force pulling down. The force of gravity is equal to the mass
(labeled "m1" for weight 1 and "m2" for weight 2) of the weight times "g"
(equal to 9.8). Therefore, the gravitational force on the lighter weight is m1g,
and the force on the heavier weight is m2g.

3
Calculate the net force acting on the lighter weight. The net force is equal to
the tension force minus the gravitational force, since they pull in opposite
directions. In other words, Net force = Tension force - m1*g.

4
Calculate the net force acting on the heavier weight. The net force is equal to
the gravitational force minus the tension force, so Net force = m2*g - Tension
force. On this side, Tension is subtracted from mass times gravity rather than
the other way around because the direction of tension is opposite on

opposite sides of the pulley. This makes sense if you consider the weights
and string laid out horizontally -- the tension pulls in opposite directions.
o

5
Substitute (tension force - m1g) in for the net force in the equation net force
= m1acceleration (Newton's 2nd law states that Force = mass acceleration;
acceleration will be labeled "a" from here on). Tension force - m1g = m1a, or
Tension = m1g + m1*a.

6
Substitute the equation for tension from Step 5 into the equation from Step
4. Net force = m2g - (m1g + m1a). By Newton's 2nd law, Net Force = m2a.
By substitution, m2a = m2g - (m1g + m1a).

7
Find the acceleration of the system by solving for a: a(m1 + m2) = (m2 m1)g, so a = ((m2 - m1)*g) / (m1 + m2). In other words, the acceleration is
equal to 9.8 times the difference of the two masses, divided by the sum of
the two masses.
http://www.ehow.com/how_7349290_solve-atwood-machine-problems.html
http://www.physicstutorials.org/home/mechanics/dynamics/newtons-second-law-ofmotion
http://www.grc.nasa.gov/WWW/k-12/airplane/newton2.html