A-level · Forces & Newton's laws

PulleysExam-style questions

Why a light inextensible string over a smooth pulley gives the two masses the same tension and the same size of acceleration in opposite directions, the two-equations-add method for finding a and T, and the classic twist — when one mass lands the string goes slack and the other flies on freely under gravity.

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10 questions · A-level level · mark scheme and worked solution on each · no sign-up to try

DifficultyAll Level 3 Level 4 Level 5

1
Particles of mass $5$ kg and $3$ kg hang from the ends of a light inextensible string over a smooth fixed pulley, and are released from rest.
(a) Find the acceleration of the system.
(b) Find the tension in the string. ( $g = 9.8$ .)
Level 3 · 4 marksTry it
2
Particles of mass $6$ kg and $4$ kg hang over a smooth pulley and are released from rest. Find
(a) the acceleration and (b) the tension. ( $g = 9.8$ .)
Level 3 · 4 marksTry it
3
Two particles of mass $7$ kg and $m$ kg hang over a smooth pulley. The system accelerates at $1.4\ \text{m s}^{-2}$ , with the $7$ kg mass descending. Find $m$ . ( $g = 9.8$ .)
Level 3 · 2 marksTry it
4
Particles of mass $8$ kg and $2$ kg hang over a smooth pulley, released from rest. Find the acceleration. ( $g = 9.8$ .)
Level 3 · 2 marksTry it
5
Particles of mass $5$ kg and $3$ kg hang over a smooth pulley and are released from rest. After the $5$ kg mass has descended, find the distance it falls in the first $2$ seconds (assuming it does not reach the pulley or floor). ( $g = 9.8$ .)
Level 3 · 2 marksTry it

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