As shown in Figure two blocks are connected by a string of negligible mass passing over a pulley of radius and moment of inertia . The block on the frictionless incline is moving with a constant acceleration of magnitude .
From this information, we wish to find the moment of inertia of the pulley.
(a) What analysis model is appropriate for the blocks?
(b) What analysis model is appropriate for the pulley?
(c) From the analysis model in part (a), find the tension ?
(d) Similarly, find the tension ?
(e) From the analysis model in part (b), find a symbolic expression for the moment of inertia of the pulley in terms of the tensions and , the pulley radius r, and the acceleration a.
(f) Find the numerical value of the moment of inertia of the pulley.
