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Blocks and Pulley on Inclined Plane I

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Two blocks with mass $m_1 = 5$ kg and $m_2 = 10$ kg are arranged as shown on a ``3-4-5'' inclined plane and connected with a massless unstretchable string running over a massless, frictionless pulley. The two masses are released initially with $m_2$ 4 m above the ground. The inclined plane has a coefficient of static friction $\mu_2 = 0.5$ and a coefficient of kinetic friction of $\mu_k = 0.25$.

a) How fast are the masses moving when $m_2$ hits the ground?

b) Assuming the string goes limp at that instant (so $m_1$ keeps moving on the rough incline) does $m_1$ hit the pulley?



Robert G. Brown 2000-12-09