An Atwood machine has masses 3 kg and 5 kg over a frictionless massless pulley. Taking g = 9.8 m/s², what is the magnitude of the acceleration? A) 1.225 m/s² B) 2.45 m/s² C) 4.9 m/s² D) 9.8 m/s²

• Mass 1 (m1) = 3 kg
• Mass 2 (m2) = 5 kg
• Acceleration due to gravity (g) = 9.8 m/s^2

The acceleration (a) of an Atwood machine is given by:
a = (m2 - m1) / (m1 + m2) * g
(Assuming m2 is the heavier mass, which determines the direction, but for magnitude, the absolute difference is used.)

a = (5 kg - 3 kg) / (3 kg + 5 kg) * 9.8 m/s^2
a = (2 kg) / (8 kg) * 9.8 m/s^2
a = (1/4) * 9.8 m/s^2
a = 0.25 * 9.8 m/s^2
a = 2.45 m/s^2