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blackwing1
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Homework Statement
A pulley has a moment of inertia of 5.0 kg*m^2 and a radius of 0.5m. The cord supporting the masses m_1 and m_2 does not slip, and the axle is frictionless. Find the acceleration of each mass when m_1 = 2.0 kg and m_2 = 5.0 kg.
Homework Equations
F=ma, Fr=I(alpha)
The Attempt at a Solution
My work is attached in the image. The thing that appears or be wrong is that T_2 - T_1 = Ia/r^2, not -Ia/r^2. However, I can't figure out why it shouldn't be negative, as the tangential acceleration for the pulley should be negative, as it is the same as the acceleration downwards, which is negative.