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An Atwood’s machine has mass 2kg and 4kg. It is carried to

the planet Mars where an astronaut measures the time of fall for
1.24 m to 1.41 s. What is the acceleration due to gravity on
Mars?

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The acceleration due to gravity on Mars can be calculated using the Atwood's machine formula and the given masses and fall time. The result is -9.71 m/s².

Step-by-step explanation:

In an Atwood's machine, the acceleration due to gravity can be calculated using the formula:

a = (m1 - m2)g / (m1 + m2)

where m1 and m2 are the masses of the objects, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.

Given that the masses are 2kg and 4kg, and the time of fall is 1.41s for a 1.24m distance, we can solve for g. Rearranging the formula, we get:

g = (m1 + m2)a / (m1 - m2)

Substituting the values, we have:

g = (2kg + 4kg)(1.24m / 1.41s²) / (2kg - 4kg)

Simplifying the equation, we have:

g = -9.71 m/s²

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