Atwood's Machine
Definition
An Atwood's machine is a simple mechanical device that consists of two masses connected by a string or rope that passes over a pulley. It is used to study the effects of gravitational forces on the motion of objects.
Analogy
Imagine two friends playing tug-of-war with a rope tied to their waists, and there's a pulley in the middle. The way they move and exert force on each other is similar to how an Atwood's machine works.
Related terms
Tension: The pulling force exerted by the string or rope in an Atwood's machine.
Acceleration: The rate at which the velocity of an object changes over time in an Atwood's machine.
Equilibrium: When the net force acting on an object in an Atwood's machine is zero, resulting in no acceleration.
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