Skip Navigation
Search

Atwood Machine With Heavy Pulley

Purpose

To illustrate the affect of a heavy pulley on the Atwood Machine.

Equipment

Double Atwood Machine, as photographed.

Setup Time

5 min.

Images

c4-23

Description

Two Atwood Machines, both having the same masses, are mounted on a stand. One is an "ideal" device, in that it has a very light pulley, while the other one has a massive pulley with a concomitant large moment of inertia. Motion of the two systems can be compared and discussed.