Chapter 4.2, Problem 2cT

Consider the following discussion between three students.

Student 1: “The string exerts a force that is tangent to the rim of spool A. This force has no component that points toward the center of the spool, so this force does not affect the acceleration of the center of mass."

Student 2: "I disagree. The acceleration of the center of mass of the spool is affected by the string. Any of the force not used up in rotational acceleration will be given to translation acceleration. This is why the acceleration of the center of mass of spool A is less than g."

Student 3: "The net force on spool A is the gravitational force minus the tension force. By Newton's second law, the acceleration of the center of mas is the net force divided by the mass. A force will have the same effect on the motion of the center of mass regardless of whether the force causes rotational motion or not."

With which student(s), if any, do you agree? Explain your reasoning.