- #1
Medtner
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Homework Statement
Figure 5-12 shows a block S (the sliding block) with mass
M 3.3 kg. The block is free to move along a horizontal
frictionless surface and connected, by a cord that wraps over
a frictionless pulley, to a second block H (the hanging
block), with mass m 2.1 kg. The cord and pulley have neg-
ligible masses compared to the blocks (they are “massless”).
The hanging block H falls as the sliding block S accelerates
to the right. Find (a) the acceleration of block S, (b) the ac-
celeration of block H, and (c) the tension in the cord.
Homework Equations
Block S:
Tx=ma (on the X axis)
Block H:
T-mg=-ma (y axis)
The Attempt at a Solution
I understand the theory and question, my problem lies with my math skills. Because of the two unknown variables you can solve them simultaneously, however the sample problem assumes I remember how to do it!
I want to understand how you can mathematically go from the two equations on top to a=(m/M+m)g on the y axis.
Thank you for the help!