A frictionless pulley of negligible mass is hung from the ceiling using a rope, also of negligible mass. Two masses, m₁ and m₂ m₁

Question

A frictionless pulley of negligible mass is hung from the ceiling using a rope, also of negligible mass. Two masses, m₁ and m₂ m₁ < m₂) are connected to the rope over the pulley. The masses are free to drop. The magnitude of the tension T_top is ____ the sum of the tensions T₁ and T₂. A) less than B) equal to C) greater than D) not related to E) dependent on T_top

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since the pulley is frictionless and of negligible mass, the tension in the rope must be the same on both sides of the pulley. Therefore, T_top is equal to the sum of T₁ and T₂.

A Frictionless Pulley of Negligible Mass Is Hung from the Ceiling