The ideal Atwood machine consists of two objects of mass m1 and m2, connected by an inextensible massless string over an ideal massless pulley.
When m1 = m2, the machine is in neutral equilibrium regardless of the position of the weights.
When m1 ≠ m2 both masses experience uniform acceleration.
We are able to derive an equation for the acceleration by analyzing forces. If we consider a massless, inextensible string and an ideal massless pulley, the only forces we have to consider are: tension force (T), and the weight of the two masses (m1 and m2).
To find an acceleration we need to consider the forces affecting each individual mass. Using Newton's second law we can derive a system of equations for the acceleration (a).
In order to understand in detail about the mechanics of the Atwood's Machine watch this video:
In order to understand in detail about the mechanics of the Atwood's Machine watch this video:
In order to understand in detail about the mechanics of the Atwood's Machine watch this video:
