Acceleration on a Pulley: Equal or Different for Connected Masses?

[Tim Wellens]

Homework Statement

We are dealing with a frictionless table with one mass on the table, while the other one hangs over the edge on a pulley connected by a string... and the mass on the table is greater than the mass hanging from the edge...

When the blocks are released from their resting position, would the magnitude of the acceleration of the mass on the table be more than, less than, or equivalent to the acceleration in the mass hanging over the edge?

Homework Equations

∑F=ma

The Attempt at a Solution

I think when the blocks are released, the magnitude of the acceleration of the mass on the table will be equal to the acceleration of the mass hanging over the edge because they are connected by a string, which would make them move at the same accelerations?

[moderator note: Removed boldface from user text.]

 

[Chestermiller]

Correct.