PIRA 1G10.40 Force, Mass, and Acceleration: Atwood's Machine

Instructions / Notes:

• The demonstration comes with :
  • A low-friction light pulley.
  • A meter stick and a stop watch.
  • Two LARGE Masses of M = 200 grams each AND two little masses of m = 5 grams each, which can be transferred.

• Example: 1(M) versus 1(M) plus 2(m) on opposing side.
• Total mass of both sides together = 410 grams

• The image shows each 200 gram mass (2M) containing the same number of 5 gram masses (2m).

• A stopwatch is used to measure the time it takes one side to fall 1 meter.

Demo Staff Notes:

• Start with (M + m) on each side.

Last Updated 2023 - University of Texas at Austin Physics Dept. - All Rights Reserved.