Q5.16 Two masses 8 kg and 12 kg are connected at the two ends of a light inextensible string that goes over a frictionless pulley. Find the acceleration of the masses, and the tension in the string when the masses are released.
Since both the masses are connected with string so they will have the same acceleration, let say 'a'.
We will apply Newton's law for each block individually.
For smaller block (8 Kg) :
...................................................(i)
For larger block (12 Kg) :
The equation of motion is given by :
......................................................(ii)
Adding both the equations we get :
The acceleration is given by :
or
or
Now put the value of acceleration in any of the equations to get the value of T.
or
or
Thus the tension in the string is 96 N.