2 Particles of mass 2 kg and 4 kg are attached to the ends \(X\) and \(Y\) of a light, inextensible string. The string passes round fixed, smooth pulleys at \(\mathrm { P } , \mathrm { Q }\) and R , as shown in Fig. 2. The system is released from rest with the string taut.
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\caption{Fig. 2}
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- State what information in the question tells you that
(A) the tension is the same throughout the string,
(B) the magnitudes of the accelerations of the particles at X and Y are the same.
The tension in the string is \(T \mathrm {~N}\) and the magnitude of the acceleration of the particles is \(a \mathrm {~ms} ^ { - 2 }\). - Draw a diagram showing the forces acting at X and a diagram showing the forces acting at Y .
- Write down equations of motion for the particles at X and at Y . Hence calculate the values of \(T\) and \(a\).