Inclined Planes Practice Flashcard

Front

What is an Atwood machine?

Back

An Atwood machine is a device consisting of two masses connected by a string that passes over a pulley. It is used to study the dynamics of motion and acceleration due to gravity.

Front

What is the formula for calculating tension in a string in a frictionless pulley system?

Back

T = (m1 * g - m2 * g) / 2, where m1 and m2 are the masses on either side of the pulley and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

Front

How does mass affect acceleration in an Atwood machine?

Back

The greater the difference in mass between the two blocks, the greater the acceleration of the system. The acceleration can be calculated using a = (m1 - m2) * g / (m1 + m2).

Front

What is the role of friction in inclined planes?

Back

Friction opposes the motion of objects on an inclined plane, affecting the net force and acceleration of the object.

Front

What is the formula for calculating the force required to hold a mass at rest on an incline?

Back

F = m * g * sin(θ), where m is the mass, g is the acceleration due to gravity, and θ is the angle of the incline.

Front

What is the acceleration of a block on a frictionless incline?

Back

The acceleration can be calculated using a = g * sin(θ), where g is the acceleration due to gravity and θ is the angle of the incline.

Front

What is the significance of a massless pulley in physics problems?

Back

A massless pulley simplifies calculations by ensuring that the tension in the string is the same on both sides, allowing for easier analysis of forces.

Front

What is the effect of angle on the force required to hold a mass on an incline?

Back

As the angle of the incline increases, the force required to hold the mass decreases, as more of the gravitational force acts parallel to the incline.

Front

What is the relationship between mass and acceleration in Newton's second law?

Back

According to Newton's second law, F = m * a, where F is the net force, m is the mass, and a is the acceleration. This means that for a constant force, increasing mass will decrease acceleration.

Front

How do you calculate the net force acting on a system of connected masses?

Back

Net force can be calculated by summing the forces acting on each mass, taking into account their directions and magnitudes.