Connected Particles and Pulleys · seed 1 · A4, ink-friendly. The answer key prints on its own page for grown-ups.

One string, one shared pull

Mathematics · Mechanics · ages 17-18
Name ______________________   Date ____________

  1. A 6 kg block hangs from a string over a smooth pulley (g = 10 N/kg). Which is its correct equation of motion?

    • T - 60 = 6a
    • 60 + T = 6a
    • 60 - T = 6a

  2. Masses of 6 kg and 2 kg hang on either side of a smooth pulley (g = 10 N/kg). Find the shared acceleration in m/s squared.

    Answer: ______________

  3. Zoe says the tension is the same on both sides because the string is light and the pulley is smooth. Is Zoe right?

    Circle one:   True   False

  4. A 6 kg block hangs from a string over a smooth pulley (g = 10 N/kg). Which is its correct equation of motion?

    • 60 - T = 6a
    • T - 60 = 6a
    • 60 + T = 6a
    • T = 6a

  5. For the same 6 kg and 2 kg setup, find the string tension in N (g = 10 N/kg).

    Answer: ______________

  6. Masses of 6 kg and 2 kg hang on either side of a smooth pulley (g = 10 N/kg). Find the shared acceleration in m/s squared.

    Answer: ______________

  7. Equal 3 kg masses hang on either side of a smooth pulley. Sam says the shared acceleration is zero. Is Sam right?

    Circle one:   True   False

  8. Zoe says the tension is the same on both sides because the string is light and the pulley is smooth. Is Zoe right?

    Circle one:   True   False

  9. Masses of 5 kg and 3 kg hang on either side of a smooth pulley (g = 10 N/kg). Find the shared acceleration in m/s squared.

    Answer: ______________

  10. Masses of 4 kg and 1 kg hang on either side of a smooth pulley (g = 10 N/kg). What is the shared acceleration?

    • 6 m/s squared
    • 2 m/s squared
    • 10 m/s squared
    • 7.5 m/s squared
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Answer key

For grown-ups. Fold this page away before handing over the rest.

One string, one shared pull W1-mt_pZ6zV0RFdC-s1

  1. 60 - T = 6a · Weight 60 N pulls down and tension holds back, so 60 - T = 6a.
  2. 5 · Net pull is 40 N on 8 kg total, so a = 40 over 8.
  3. True · A light string keeps no extra pull and a smooth pulley adds no friction.
  4. 60 - T = 6a · Weight 60 N pulls down and tension T holds back, so 60 - T = 6a.
  5. 30 · Using the 2 kg side: T - 20 = 2 times 5, so T = 30 N.
  6. 5 · Net pull is 40 N on 8 kg total, so a = 40 over 8 = 5 m/s squared.
  7. True · Equal weights pull evenly, so nothing drives any motion.
  8. True · A light string cannot support a difference in pull and a smooth pulley adds no friction, so tension is uniform.
  9. 2.5 · Net pull is 20 N on 8 kg total, so a = 20 over 8.
  10. 6 m/s squared · Net pull is 30 N on 5 kg total, so a = 6 m/s squared.
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