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Re: Hewitt

David Abineri wrote:

Can anyone lend a hand in saying something that might make it easier to
see the solution to Hewitt's Figuring Physics in the January Physics
Teacher?

I am having trouble seeing how the acceleration of block B is increasing
as it falls and how I would explain this to my class. Any insights would
be welcome. It's a great question!

--
David Abineri dabineri@choice.net

The chain has to have mass for the solution to apply. Consider this:
Newton's Law II says F(net )= M a(CM), where M is the system total mass.
The center of mass (CM) is what accelerates at g. To keep the CM of the
chain-block system accelerating at this rate, the block must accelerate
faster.

Now whether this is a simpler explanation, I don't know....


--
Van E. Neie Ph: 765-494-5511
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