Solving for Tension with a massless cord

sarahmichelle

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
One 2.0kg paint bucket is hanging by a massless cord from another 2.0 kg bucket, also hanging by a massless cord.

a) If the buckets are at rest, what is the tension of each cord?
b) If the two buckets are pulled upward with an acceleration of 1.30m/s² by the upper cord, calculate the tension in each cord.


2. Relevant equations
F=ma


3. The attempt at a solution
Don't know where to start :(

lewando

To start, draw a picture of what is going on to help you organize your thoughts. F=ma would be a relevant equation.

aftershock

Draw a free body diagram of each can separately.