Two masses 8 kg and 12 kg are connected at the two ends of a light inextensible string that goes ove

Question

Two masses 8 kg and 12 kg are connected at the two ends of a light inextensible string that goes over a frictionless pulley. What is the acceleration of the masses when they are released? (Take g = 10 m/s²)

Professor PC Thomas Classes · Answer

Acceleration $a = \frac{m_1 - m_2}{m_1 + m_2}g = \frac{12 - 8}{12 + 8} 	imes 10 = \frac{4}{20} 	imes 10 = 2$ m/s².