Mechanics · Forces & Newton's laws
Chapter 1 · 3
The idea
Connected particles on slopes and pulleys
Two particles joined by a light inextensible string over a smooth pulley — one on a slope, one hanging — share the same acceleration and string tension; write F = ma along each particle's line of motion (including the slope component and friction) and solve simultaneously.
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Mechanics · Forces & Newton's laws
Connected particles on slopes and pulleys
Two particles joined by a light inextensible string over a smooth pulley — one on a slope, one hanging — share the same acceleration and string tension; write F = ma along each particle's line of motion (including the slope component and friction) and solve simultaneously.
Why it works
Everything comes together
A crate on a ramp, roped over a pulley at the top to a weight hanging down the back — this is the mechanics paper's favourite finale, because it is an inclined plane, friction, and connected particles all in one diagram. Two standard phrases make it tractable. Because the string is inextensible, both particles have the same acceleration (in magnitude). Because it is light and the pulley smooth, the tension is the same throughout the string. So one unknown acceleration and one unknown tension describe the whole system.Keep reading — free
The rest of the explanation, plus 2 worked examples you step through move by move.
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