Answer:
D) No, because the calculated value of g is too small, possibly due to an additional force exerted on the block-string system.
Explanation:
In order to find the value of g, we have to write the equation of the forces on the two blocks.
Since m2 is heavier than m1, this means that m2 will accelerate downward while m1 will accelerated upward, because of the tension in the rope.
For m2, we have:
[tex]m_2 g - T = m_2 a[/tex] (2)
where
[tex]m_2 g[/tex] is the weight of block m2, with
[tex]m_2 = 0.6 kg[/tex] is the mass
[tex]g[/tex] is the acceleration due to gravity
T is the tension in the rope
[tex]a=1.0 m/s^2[/tex] is the acceleration measured
For m1, we have
[tex]T-m_1 g = m_1 a[/tex] (1)
where
[tex]m_1 g[/tex] is the weight of block m1, with
[tex]m_1 = 0.4 kg[/tex] mass of m1
Re-writing T from (1) and replacing it into (2), we find
[tex]T=m_1 g + m_1 a[/tex]
[tex]m_2 g - (m_1 g + m_1 a) = m_2 a\\m_2 g - m_1 g - m_1 a = m_2 a\\g(m_2-m_1)=(m_1+m_2)a\\g=\frac{m_1 +m_2}{m_2-m_1}a=\frac{0.4+0.6}{0.6-0.4}(1.0)=5 m/s^2[/tex]
However, we know that the true value of g is [tex]9.8 m/s^2[/tex]: so the correct answer is
D) No, because the calculated value of g is too small, possibly due to an additional force exerted on the block-string system.
