Goal: Reasoning qualitatively.
Source: UMPERG
Consider the arrangement of pulleys and masses shown below. The masses
of the pulleys are small. Ignore friction.
![](/files/Item041_fig1.gif)
For what relationship of the masses would the masses remain at rest?
- m/M > 2
- m/M = 2
- m/M = 1.5
- m/M = 1
- m/M = 0.5
- m/M = 0.25
- m/M < 0.25
- none of the above
- Cannot be determined
Commentary:
Answer
(5); This problem can be reasoned although it is easy enough to solve algebraically. The problem is useful for demonstrating the value of free body diagrams for reasoning.