Simple Atwood Machine

DCS Code: 1G10.40 Last Updated: March 27, 2026
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Purpose

Demonstrates Newton's Second Law quantitatively using two masses connected over a pulley. A small mass imbalance produces measurable constant acceleration, allowing students to compare predicted and measured fall times.

Tall wooden frame clamped to lecture bench with vise-grip clamps, metal disk pulley at top, meter stick mounted vertically on the frame, and a small metal stool at the base for height compensation
Figure 1: Atwood machine frame clamped to the bench with the pulley, meter stick, and height-compensation stool. Masses and string attach over the pulley at top.