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(a) A light inextensible string passes over a small fixed smooth pulley - Leaving Cert Applied Maths - Question 4 - 2009

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(a) A light inextensible string passes over a small fixed smooth pulley. A particle A of mass 10 kg is attached to one end of the string and a particle B of mass 5 k... show full transcript

Worked Solution & Example Answer:(a) A light inextensible string passes over a small fixed smooth pulley - Leaving Cert Applied Maths - Question 4 - 2009

Step 1

(i) the speed of A as it hits the ground

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Answer

To find the speed of A as it strikes the ground, we utilize the principle of conservation of energy or kinematic equations. Since A descends a height of 1 m, we can apply the equation of motion:

v2=u2+2asv^2 = u^2 + 2as

Here, the initial velocity u=0u = 0, a=g=9.81extm/s2a = g = 9.81 ext{ m/s}^2 (acceleration due to gravity), and s=1extms = 1 ext{ m}. Thus:

v2=0+2(9.81)(1)v^2 = 0 + 2(9.81)(1) v2=19.62v^2 = 19.62 v = rac{2}{ ext{3}} ext{ m/s}

Therefore, the speed of A as it hits the ground is approximately 2.56extm/s2.56 ext{ m/s}.

Step 2

(ii) the height that B rises above the horizontal ground

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Answer

When B touches the ground, it reveals that the mass A has fallen 1 m. Given the constraints of the system, as B rises, A falls the same distance. Therefore:

Using the kinematic equation for B: v2=u2+2asv^2 = u^2 + 2as With u=0u = 0, the equation simplifies to: 0=2h2gs0 = 2h - 2gs

From the equation, we can deduce the height B rises: h = rac{1}{3} ext{ m} + 1 ext{ m} Thus, the height B rises above the ground is approximately $$ rac{4}{3} ext{ m}.$

Step 3

(i) Find, in terms of m1 and m2, the tension in the string

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Answer

For the mass mkm_k on the table with mass attached to a pulley, we can apply Newton’s second law.

Let T be the tension in the string:

  1. For m1m_1 (1 kg):

    • The net force equation is :
    • Tg=m1aT - g = m_1 a
    • Therefore, T=m1g+m1aT = m_1 g + m_1 a.
  2. For mkm_k:

    • The mass is at rest:
    • mkg2T=0m_k g - 2T = 0
    • Substitute back into the equation from m1m_1: mkg=2Tm_k g = 2T Thus, T = rac{m_k g}{2}

Step 4

(ii) Find the value of k.

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Answer

To determine the value of k, we can utilize the given relation where the pulley will remain at rest: rac{2}{m_2} = rac{1}{m_1}k

Rearranging gives: k = rac{2 m_1}{m_2}

From our previous relationships, it identifies that: k = 1 when both terms are equal.

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