- #1
serverxeon
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Homework Statement
Two masses, 5kg and 2kg on the two ends of an atwood machine (ie. over a pulley).
Initially, both are 0.6m above ground.
Find the maximum height the 2kg mass will reach when the system is released.
Homework Equations
The Attempt at a Solution
Maximum height will = initial 0.6 m + 0.6m it will move up + the "shooting up effect" due to KE it still has at h=1.2m
If i use net force to get net acceleration, and thereby get the velocity when 0.6m has been moved, i will arrive at an additional displace of 0.26 m
Correct answer is 1.46m, and so I'm right.
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But , if I use energy methods, I am stuck.
Total GPE lost by 5kg block = 29.4J
So, that means the 2kg block will gain a height of 29.4/(2*9.8) = 1.5m?
I think I am missing out something. Can the energy be 'transferred' from m1 to m2 in this case? Or is energy lost to heat when the 5kg smashes the floor?
Anyone has a way to solve this using energy methods?