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Calculate the acceleration for each of the three systems.

Physics

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Answer

(b)\text{(b)}

Step-by-step solution

4 steps

Here's how to determine the accelerations for each system:

  1. Analyze System A

    In System A, a mass mm is attached to one end of a string, and a force F1=2mgF_1 = 2mg is applied to the other end. Assuming an ideal pulley and string, the tension TT throughout the string is equal to the applied force.

    T=F1=2mgT = F_1 = 2mg

    For the mass mm, the forces acting are its weight mgmg downwards and the tension TT upwards. Applying Newton's second law (Fnet=ma1F_{net} = ma_1):

    T−mg=ma1T - mg = ma_1 2mg−mg=ma12mg - mg = ma_1 mg=ma1mg = ma_1 a1=ga_1 = g
  2. Analyze System B

    In System B, a mass mm is on one side and a mass 2m2m is on the other side. This is an Atwood machine. Let TT be the tension in the string and a2a_2 be the acceleration. We assume 2m2m moves down and mm moves up.
    For mass mm:

    T−mg=ma2(1)T - mg = ma_2 \quad (1)

    For mass 2m2m:

    2mg−T=(2m)a2(2)2mg - T = (2m)a_2 \quad (2)

    Adding equations (1) and (2):

    (T−mg)+(2mg−T)=ma2+2ma2(T - mg) + (2mg - T) = ma_2 + 2ma_2 mg=3ma2mg = 3ma_2 a2=mg3ma_2 = \frac{mg}{3m} a2=g3a_2 = \frac{g}{3}
  3. Analyze System C

    In System C, a mass mm is on the left, and a mass mm is on the right with an additional downward force F2=mgF_2 = mg. Let TT be the tension and a3a_3 be the acceleration. We assume the right side moves down and the left side moves up.
    For the left mass mm:

    T−mg=ma3(1)T - mg = ma_3 \quad (1)

    For the right mass mm, the total downward force is its weight mgmg plus the applied force F2=mgF_2 = mg. So, the total downward force is mg+mg=2mgmg + mg = 2mg.

    2mg−T=ma3(2)2mg - T = ma_3 \quad (2)

    Adding equations (1) and (2):

    (T−mg)+(2mg−T)=ma3+ma3(T - mg) + (2mg - T) = ma_3 + ma_3 mg=2ma3mg = 2ma_3 a3=mg2ma_3 = \frac{mg}{2m} a3=g2a_3 = \frac{g}{2}
  4. Compare the accelerations

    We have the accelerations:

    a1=ga_1 = g a2=g3a_2 = \frac{g}{3} a3=g2a_3 = \frac{g}{2}

    Comparing these values:
    g>g2>g3g > \frac{g}{2} > \frac{g}{3}
    Therefore, a1>a3>a2a_1 > a_3 > a_2.

    This matches option (b).

    The final answer is (b)\text{(b)}.

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