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PULLEY SYSTEMS

Consider two objects M1 and M2 connected by a light inextensible string which passes around a smooth
frictionless pulley.

a
T T a

M1

M2

The string is light so that it does not contribute to the weight of the system. It is inextensible so that it
does not stretch. The circumference of the pulley is frictionless so that the tension is the same
throughout the string.

When the system is released the heavier mass accelerates downwards and the lighter mass accelerates
upwards. This acceleration is different from the acceleration due to gravity because they are not in free
fall. Problems of this type can be solved by using Newton’s Second Law of Motion.

D. Whitehall
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Example 1

Find the acceleration of the system below and the tension, T, in the string.

a
T T a

M1 = 5kg

M2 = 3kg

Example 2

A particle (M1) of mass 4kg rests on a smooth horizontal table. It is connected to a light inextensible
string which is passed over a smooth pulley at the end of the table. The string is then connected to a
particle (M2) of mass 2kg which is hanging freely. Calculate the acceleration in the system and the
tension of the string.

Example 3

A block (M1) of 25kg rests on a table and is connected to a light inextensible string which is passed over a
smooth pulley at the end of the table. The string is then connected to a mass (M2) of 15kg which is
hanging freely. If the friction between block and the table is 50N, calculate the acceleration in the
system and the tension of the string.

D. Whitehall
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CONNECTING BODIES
When two bodies are connected by a solid medium (example: tow bar or a cable), they must have the
same velocity and acceleration. The driving force of the engine must be great enough to move both
objects.
Normal A Normal B

Tension (T)
Driving A B
Force
FR FR

Weight A Weight B

Method to Solve

 State all the forces that are acting

 Identify the direction of the resultant force and the acceleration
 Apply Newton’s Laws of Motion to each body

Example 1

A car of mass 1000 kg tows a caravan of mass 800 kg and the two have an acceleration of 2.0 m/s 2. If the
only external force acting on the system is that between the driving wheels and the road, calculate:

a) the value of this force

b) the tension in the coupling between the car and the caravan.

Example 2

A truck (A) of mass 1000 kg pulls a trailer (B) of mass 3000 kg. The friction force on the truck (A) is 1000N
and on the trailer (B) is 2000N. If the engine exerts a force of 8000N, calculate:

a) the acceleration of the truck and the trailer.

b) the tension in the tow bar connecting the truck to the trailer.

D. Whitehall
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Example 3

A car of mass 1000 kg is pulling a caravan of mass 200 kg. Both vehicles accelerate from rest to a speed
of 8 m/s in 40 seconds. Calculate:

a) the driving force of the car needed to give this acceleration (assuming that no other force acts
on the system).
b) the tension in the tow bar.

D. Whitehall