infinite pulleys

m0

m1

m2

.
.
.
An infinite series of pulleys and masses is arranged as shown, with m0 = 1 (1 − t ) , and mi = t (i −1)
for i > 0 , with 0 < t < 1 . At the moment the pulleys are released from rest, what is the acceleration
of mass m0?

Solution by Sukumar Chandra:

In case of an infinite pulley system, any of the pulleys can be replaced by an equivalent finite mass
without changing the motion of the masses above it. Let us consider the ith pulley (starting from
0th). On its one side is suspended the mass mi and other side the pulley (i+1)th. Let us replace the
(i+1)th pulley by a finite mass Mi without changing the motion of the system above it.

2T

ith pulley ai 2T

T
Mi–1 ai
mi
T

a Mi

Let the ith pulley move down with acceleration ai while, with respect to this pulley, mass mi moves
up with acceleration a and mass Mi moves down with acceleration a. If tension in the string joining
the two masses be T then tension on the pulley is 2T. We can replace the ith pulley by a mass Mi–1
moving down with same acceleration ai as the pulley and experiencing same tension 2T.
Equation of motion of mi is:

T − mi g = mi (a − ai )

Equation of motion of Mi is:

M i g − T = mi (a + ai )

Eliminating a from these two equations we get,

2mi M i
T= ( g − ai ) (1)
mi + M i

Also, Equation of motion of Mi–1 is M i −1 g − 2T = M i −1ai , or

2T = M i −1 ( g − ai ) (2)

4mi M i
Comparing equations (1) & (2) we can declare M i −1 = , which is independent of ai!
mi + M i
Putting mi = t i −1 (as given), we get

4 M i t i −1 4 4
M i −1 = i −1
= =
Mi + t 1 1
+ i −1
1 t
+ i
Mi t Mi t

Hence on two sides of the pulley number (i –1) we have now the masses Mi–1 and mi-1 without
disturbing the motion of the masses and pulleys above it. In a similar manner the pulley number
(i–1) can be replaced by a mass Mi–2 such that

4 M i −1mi −1 4 4 42 42
M i−2 = = = = =
M i −1 + mi −1 1 1 t2 t2 1 t
+ i −2 1
+
1 t
+ i +4 i + i (1 + 4t )
M i −1 t 4 ti Mi t t Mi t
1 t
+ i
Mi t

Similarly the pulley (i–2) can be replaced by a mass M i–3, which comes to, in similar
simplification,

43
M i −3 =
+ i (1 + 4t + (4t ) 2 )
1 t
Mi t

Thus we get a definite series for the masses of the successive higher pulleys with which they can
be replaced without affecting the accelerations of the masses above them.
Proceeding in this way, the pulley number 1, which is connected to the top most mass m0, can be
replaced by a mass M0 which can be written as

4i
M0 =
+ i (1 + 4t + (4t ) 2 + (4t ) 3 + .................... + (4t ) i −1 )
1 t
Mi t

Or (using the summation rule for G.P. series),

4i
M0 =
1 t  1 − (4t ) i 
+  
M i t i  1 − 4t 

1
=
1 t  1 
+  − 1
4 M i 1 − 4t  (4t )
i i


1 1
As i → ∞ , i
vanishes, but will vanish only if 4t > 1 (i.e. t > 1 4 ), and in that case M0
4 Mi (4t) i
4t − 1
exists and becomes equal to . On the other hand if 4t ≤ 1 (i.e. t ≤ 1 4 ) then M 0 → ∞ . Also,
t
a, the downward acceleration of m0, can be expressed as

 m0 
 − 1 g
(m − M 0 )g =  M 0 
a= 0 (3)
m0 + M 0 m0
+1
M0

4t − 1
Hence we get, when t ≤ 1 4 , M 0 → ∞ , and a = − g . On the other hand, when t > 1 4 , M 0 = ;
t
1
substituting this into equation (3) and using m0 = (as given) we get, after simplification,
1− t

g
a=
2t
1−
(2t − 1) 2

but when 2t = 1 (i.e. t = 1 2 ), a is undefined. In fact, when t = 1 2 , M 0 = m0 = 2 and hence from

equation (3), a = 0 .

(
Thus, for t ≥ 1 4 , a = − g , for t = 1 2 , a = 0 , and for other values of t, a = g 1 − 2t (2t − 1) .
2
)