- #1
Emily_20
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Homework Statement
In terms of m1,m2, and g. find the acceleration of the hanging block in the two-block/ two-pulley setup shown in the diagram. The stands holding the string rests on the floor. All pulleys are massless, and there is no friction anywhere in the system.
Homework Equations
F=ma
The Attempt at a Solution
First I drew free body diagrams of both blocks and of the lower pulley. I numbered the tensions in the pictures. The equations that I got for m1:
Fy= N=mg
Fx= T1=m1a
For m2 I got:
Fy= T2-m2g=-a*m2
For pulley I got:
T1+T3=T2
Then I substituted T2 Into the equation for m2 and I got:
T1+T3-m2g=-a*m2
m1*a+T3-m2g=-a*m2
Now I am confused but I decided to call T3 just T because T is same in the rope.
As a result my answer is a= (m2g-T)/(m2+m1), but it is probably wrong. Could you please check if I am on track here?
Thanks for the help!