<p align="right">Last Update: <font color="#4f81bd">July, 27, 2024</font></p> ## BIG IDEAS - An Atwood machine consists of two masses connected by a string over a pulley, the system is used to study how forces balance and result in acceleration. - Two equations are combined to solve for the acceleration. - The tension in the string is an internal force that plays a critical role in connecting the dynamics of both masses. >[!note] Newton's Second Law >The Atwood machine serves as a practice application of Newton's laws. ### Acceleration Formula $a \ = \ \frac{(m_2 - m_1)}{(m_1 + m_2)} g$ ### Tension Formula $T \ = \ \frac{2 m_1 m_2 g}{(m_1 + m_2)}$ ### Related Topics --- [[Home|Home]] | [[Mechanics]] | [[Notes Vault/Physics Notes Vault/Kinematics/Kinematics|Kinematics]] | [[Notes Vault/Physics Notes Vault/Dynamics/Dynamics|Dynamics]] | [[Force]] | [[Net Force]] | [[Newton's First Law]] | [[Newton's Second Law]] | [[Newton's Third Law]] | [[Inertia]] | [[Notes Vault/Physics Notes Vault/Dynamics/Weight]] | [[Normal Forces]] | [[Notes Vault/Physics Notes Vault/Dynamics/Friction]]