written by
Gary Gladding
published by
the University of llinois Physics Education Research Group
This interactive homework problem for introductory physics relates to interacting forces in a system featuring an incline plane with a 30-degree angle, two blocks of different masses, and an ideal pulley. Students must determine the acceleration of the block moving up the incline. A user-activated "help" sequence is provided for each step of the problem-solving, including conceptual analysis, free-body diagrams, and tips to set up the calculations. Immediate feedback is received for both correct and incorrect responses.
Editor's Note:This problem promotes understanding of the overall picture of multiple forces in a system. In particular, it addresses the misconception that the tension forces acting on the ideal pulley are different in magnitude. The author deftly guides learners in overcoming this conceptual struggle.
<a href="https://www.compadre.org/precollege/items/detail.cfm?ID=6406">Gladding, Gary. Illinois PER Interactive Examples: Two Blocks. Urbana: University of llinois Physics Education Research Group, August 31, 2014.</a>
G. Gladding, (University of llinois Physics Education Research Group, Urbana, 2006), WWW Document, (https://ie.per.physics.illinois.edu/per/ie/ie.pl?phys111/ie/03/ie_two_blocks).
G. Gladding, Illinois PER Interactive Examples: Two Blocks (University of llinois Physics Education Research Group, Urbana, 2006), <https://ie.per.physics.illinois.edu/per/ie/ie.pl?phys111/ie/03/ie_two_blocks>.
Gladding, G. (2014, August 31). Illinois PER Interactive Examples: Two Blocks. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from University of llinois Physics Education Research Group: https://ie.per.physics.illinois.edu/per/ie/ie.pl?phys111/ie/03/ie_two_blocks
Gladding, Gary. Illinois PER Interactive Examples: Two Blocks. Urbana: University of llinois Physics Education Research Group, August 31, 2014. https://ie.per.physics.illinois.edu/per/ie/ie.pl?phys111/ie/03/ie_two_blocks (accessed 4 April 2025).
Gladding, Gary. Illinois PER Interactive Examples: Two Blocks. Urbana: University of llinois Physics Education Research Group, 2006. 31 Aug. 2014. 4 Apr. 2025 <https://ie.per.physics.illinois.edu/per/ie/ie.pl?phys111/ie/03/ie_two_blocks>.
@misc{
Author = "Gary Gladding",
Title = {Illinois PER Interactive Examples: Two Blocks},
Publisher = {University of llinois Physics Education Research Group},
Volume = {2025},
Number = {4 April 2025},
Month = {August 31, 2014},
Year = {2006}
}
%A Gary Gladding %T Illinois PER Interactive Examples: Two Blocks %D August 31, 2014 %I University of llinois Physics Education Research Group %C Urbana %U https://ie.per.physics.illinois.edu/per/ie/ie.pl?phys111/ie/03/ie_two_blocks %O text/html
%0 Electronic Source %A Gladding, Gary %D August 31, 2014 %T Illinois PER Interactive Examples: Two Blocks %I University of llinois Physics Education Research Group %V 2025 %N 4 April 2025 %8 August 31, 2014 %9 text/html %U https://ie.per.physics.illinois.edu/per/ie/ie.pl?phys111/ie/03/ie_two_blocks
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