"An inclined plane at an angle of 25 degrees to the horizontal has a pulley at its top. A 30kg block on the plane is connected to a freely hanging 20kg block by means of a cord passing over the pulley. From rest how far will the 20kg block fall in 2s?

For the 20kg block choose downward as positive and for the 30kg block choose the x axis along the incline as positive.Apply Newton's second law of motion to each block separately.The pulley is frictionless and the tension is the same on either side of the pulley. We can eliminate tension from the two equations of motion and solve to find the acceleration of the 20kg block. Using this acceleration we can calculate distance travelled in 2 seconds using the appropriate 'suvat' equation.

JW
Answered by Joni W. Physics tutor

4993 Views

See similar Physics A Level tutors

Related Physics A Level answers

All answers ▸

How does circular motion work?


What happens to ice when energy is supplied at a constant rate in terms of the changes in energy of the molecules?


An aeroplane lands on the runway with a velocity of 50 m/s and decelerates at 10 m/s^2 to a velocity of 20 m/s. Calculate the distance travelled on the runway.


a ball is dropped from rest off a cliff of height 50m, determine the final velocity of the ball assuming no air resistance.


We're here to help

contact us iconContact ustelephone icon+44 (0) 203 773 6020
Facebook logoInstagram logoLinkedIn logo

MyTutor is part of the IXL family of brands:

© 2026 by IXL Learning