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Hi, Yes, my equation for the acceleration of m2 was off by a sign: a should have the same sign as g. But for Eq (2) I'm a little confused. Newton's 2nd law is a vector equation, so for which component have you written the equation? The force of friction acts at some angle to the tension...

Can't figure this one out! Please help!

I guess what is confusing me is the fact that m1 moves in a spiral, getting closer and closer to the hole in the table. In this case we can't assume that T=\frac{m_{1}v^{2}}{r} Is that correct? Also, because friction acts in the direction that opposes the velocity, there is always a component...

Thanks rl.bhat I will try and work it out with your hints, thanks. However, isn't there a component of friction which acts tangent to the motion of m1?

I'd really appreciate any help on this problem. It's not for homework or anything, I just can't understand where I'm going wrong. Thanks.

Thank you for the response. I don't quite follow your suggestion though. The relationship T=\frac{m_{1}v_{0}^{2}}{r_{0}} holds, but is not equal to m_{2} g because the tension no longer equals the force of gravity on m2. So I don't think I know v(r), and so can't calculate E(r).

Strangely Confusing mechanics problem! Homework Statement 2 masses connected by a massless string which passes through a hole in a horizontal table. One mass, m_{1}, is sitting on top of the horizontal table, the other, m_{2}, hanging below the table. There IS friction between mass m_{1}...