How Do You Solve for Acceleration in a Two-Mass Pulley System?

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AI Thread Summary
The discussion focuses on solving for acceleration in a two-mass pulley system with given masses and an applied force. The user derived equations for the horizontal forces on mass m1 and the vertical forces on mass m2 but is struggling to find the correct acceleration. There is confusion regarding the coefficient of friction and the tension in the string. Suggestions are sought for resolving the discrepancies in the calculations. Clarification on these variables is crucial for arriving at the correct solution.
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Homework Statement



Mass m1=28.1 kg is on a horizontal surface, connected to mass m2= 6.70 kg by a light string as shown. The pulley has negligible mass and no friction. A force of 231.3 N acts on m1 at an angle of 29.5o.



Homework Equations




I can't seem to get the correct answer for this one.
I get this equation for the horizontal forces on m1:

m1a = Fcos(theta) -T -ukm1g +ukFsin(theta)

And this one for the vertical forces on m2:

m2a = T -m2g

I can combine these equations and solve for a, but that
doesn't seem to be working out for me. Any suggestions?


The Attempt at a Solution



I plugged in all of the numbers, but it does not seem to be working out
 
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Seems right to me. What is the coefficient of friction? What number do you get for a?
 
you posted this on lon capa too.. how did you get T ??
 
Kindly see the attached pdf. My attempt to solve it, is in it. I'm wondering if my solution is right. My idea is this: At any point of time, the ball may be assumed to be at an incline which is at an angle of θ(kindly see both the pics in the pdf file). The value of θ will continuously change and so will the value of friction. I'm not able to figure out, why my solution is wrong, if it is wrong .
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