Pulleys

A pulley is a wheel on which a rope/string/cable passes.

For the purposes of Mechanics Year 1, the two particles hanging either side will
either be horizontal or vertical.
[Textbook] Particles and , of masses and , are attached to the ends of a light
inextensible string. The string passes over a small smooth fixed pulley and the
Why can’t we just model both particles masses hang with the string taut. The system is released from rest.
as a single particle as before? (a) Write down an equation of motion for and for .
The particles are moving in different (b) Find the acceleration of each mass.

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directions, so the tensions do not
cancel.
(c) Find the tension in the string.
(d) Find the force exerted on the pulley by the string.
(e) Find the distance moved by in the first 4 s, assuming that does not reach
the pulley.
Under what conditions is the tension in
each part of the string the same? a For , : (1)
Single piece of string and smooth 𝐹 For , : (2) ?
pulley. ? b Adding equations:
𝑇 𝑇 ms-2 ?
Remember that tension acts 𝑎 𝑇
? 𝑎 c
Substituting back into (1):
N
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Force exerted on pulley by string:
away from each object in the
direction of the string. This
𝑇Diagram
3𝑚 d N
2𝑚 3𝑚𝑔
includes the pulley!
2𝑚𝑔
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Ensure that you add the m (3sf)
direction of acceleration at e
each moving particle, and
resolve forces in this direction.
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 Horizontal and vertical string
𝑅 [Textbook] Two particles and of masses 0.4kg and 0.8kg respectively are
𝑎 connected by a light inextensible string. Particle lies on a rough horizontal
table 4.5m from a small smooth pulley which is fixed at the edge of the table.
𝐴 𝑇 𝑇 The string passes over the pulley and hangs freely, with the string taut, 0.5m
0.08𝑔 0.4𝑘𝑔 𝑇 above horizontal ground. A frictional force of magnitude 0.08g opposes the

? 𝑎
motion of particle . The system is released from rest. Find:
(a) The acceleration of the system
0.4 Diagram
𝑔 (b) The time taken for to reach the ground
𝑇 (c) The total distance travelled by before it first comes to rest.
𝐵
0.8𝑘𝑔 a For , ,
For , ,
(1)
(2)
0.8 𝑔 Adding: ?
b
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Strategy for (c): c First find speed of when it hits ground:
1. This is a ‘two-time period’ problem, in this case
(i) before hits ground and (ii) after. Consider how ms-1.
the forces change in the second period after has hit
the floor: the string becomes slack so there is no
This becomes the initial velocity of as we consider the period after
hits the ground.
tension. We will need to recalculate acceleration.
2. Remember that applies across a period of time. ?
String then becomes slack so only force acting on :
The final velocity of in the first period will become
the initial velocity in the second.
hits ground.
start moving.
𝑢=0 𝑠=0.5 𝑣→ 𝑢 𝑠=?𝑣=0
comes to rest.
m (2sf)
Time Total distance: m (2sf)
 Test Your Understanding
Edexcel M1 Jan 2010 Q6

(“N2L” = Newton’s 2nd Law)

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Exercise 10F
Pearson Stats/Mechanics Year 1
Pages 175-177