So I\'m having trouble even conceptualizing how to attack this particular proble

Question

So I'm having trouble even conceptualizing how to attack this particular problem. Basically, in my physics lab we were asked to calculate acceleration due to gravity of a single pulley system where a cart is attached to a counterweight which hangs over the edge of table.(Fig 1). Friction is negelected in this experiment.  I understand how to calculate the acceleration from the two masses and the force of gravity and that isn't the part I'm worried about.

We are asked to calculate all uncertainties with this experiment and the particular uncertainty I'm unsure about is the uncertainty associated with the mass of the string which we found to be 2 grams +/- 0.05 grams. Wouldn't the mass of the string alter the acceleration slightly since more and more of its mass is affected by gravity as its passes over the pulley and becomes vertical? If so, how would one quantify this change?

I apologize in advance if this description is too vague. Let me know if any more information is needed!

So I'm having trouble even conceptualizing how to attack this particular problem. Basically, in my physics lab we were asked to calculate acceleration due to gravity of a single pulley system where a cart is attached to a counterweight which hangs over the edge of table.(Fig 1). Friction is neglected in this experiment. I understand how to calculate the acceleration from the two masses and the force of gravity and that isn't the part I'm worried about. We are asked to calculate all uncertainties with this experiment and the particular uncertainty I'm unsure about is the uncertainty associated with the mass of the string which we found to be 2 grams +/- 0.05 grams. Wouldn't the mass of the string alter the acceleration slightly since more and more of its mass is affected by gravity as its passes over the pulley and becomes vertical? If so, how would one quantify this change?

Explanation / Answer

yes it would it would effectively raise the hanging weight by 2 grams at the end


easiest way to quantify it is to compare the acceleration with the weight being W

and then W + 2 grams *g

you will get two different accelerations, so there will be an error in the acceleration given by

(a(with rope's mass) - a(without))/2

make sense?

please ask questions if it doesnt

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