A light unstretchable string passing over a smooth light pulley connects two blocks of masses m₁ and m₂. If the acceleration of the system is g/8, then the ratio of the masses m₂/m₁ is:
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A light unstretchable string passing over a smooth light pulley connects two blocks of masses m₁ and m₂. If the acceleration of the system is g/8, then the ratio of the masses m₂/m₁ is:

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

For an Atwood machine: a = [(m₂ - m₁)/(m₁ + m₂)]g Given: a = g/8 Therefore: (m₂ - m₁)/(m₁ + m₂) = 1/8 8m₂ - 8m₁ = m₁ + m₂ 7m₂ = 9m₁ Hence: m₂/m₁ = 9/7