It's impossible to answer without seeing how the ropes are attached to the weights. If they are tied securely, then C must lift first and the other weights are of no consequence. If they are allowed to slip, then A will lift first because it is lightest.
A would rise first. As C begins to rise the force of the pulling is transferred to B. When B first begins to rise the force of the pulling is transferred to A so A will actually rise first since it is the lightest. That's what makes sense to me.
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Assuming there is no friction where the rope meets the hooks, then the rope will simply slip and the system will reach equilibrium by minimising its potential energy. Since you gain potential energy by lifting a weight, to the amount of mgh (mass x gravity x height), clearly for any given height it is cheaper to lift the smallest mass. Hence A will lift first.
In practice, what will happen is that there will be some amount of friction between the rope and the hook, which determines how easy it is for the rope to slide through it. If this coefficient of friction is sufficiently high, such that the downward force mg of a given weight cannot counter it along the angle of the rope (or if the ropes are tied to the hooks), then it could be B or even C.
A small group of pixies will a-spy this peculiar situation from afar (while out a-huntin' unicorns) and run over to investigate. Upon fully comprehending the mechanism, they will steal the weights and sell them for scrap. Just you wait.
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Only C would lift. A and B would stay on the floor. It would be a different puzzle if there were pullies connecting each weight, but since these seem to be hooks; only C would move.
Now, if you enter a dead badger into the equation, I am just not too sure what will happen...
Last edited by Quiver318; Sep 9th, 2010 at 08:57 PM.
Reason: Clarity...
I don't think a dead badger would affect the outcome of this very much at all. However, the introduction of a LIVE badger, especially a rabid one, would have a profound impact on the outcome, as none of the weights would rise, but the man would.
Those who think that none of the weights would rise are correct, although not due to a badger,
rather the man had a hernia from filling out all the health & safety forms before he was allowed to
pull the rope.
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Originally Posted by Aash
Make as many mistakes as you can as quickly as you can. We want to make sure that we make a great enough number of mistakes in a given amount of time so that we can be successful.
