Applying Newtons laws n an inclined surface with two masses

[e_burke]

applying Newtons laws on an inclined surface with two masses

Homework Statement

Two blocks connected by a cord passing over a small, frictionless pulley rest on frictionless planes (diagram attached)
a) which way will the system move when the blocks are released from rest?
b) what is the acceleration of the blocks?
what is the tension in the cord

Homework Equations

Newtons laws

The Attempt at a Solution

i have not gotten very far in this question as i keep going around in circles, actually i am finding this whole topic difficult but this is my attempt

a) find the force each block the largest force determines which way it will slide

w1 =mg
=100 x 9.8
=980
w2 =50 x 9.8
= 490
in component form
x1 = wsin30 y1 = wcos30
y2 = wsin53 y2 = wcos53

f=ma
but this is where i get stuck
im not sure if i need to take into the block attached at the other end or take each side of the triangle in isolation

i hope you understand cause I am not sure if i am making any sense
thanks in advanced
erin

 

[sArGe99]

Which is greater?
100 g sin 30 or
50 g sin 53.
Direction of motion depends on that. You don't have to account frictional forces in this case, since its given that the planes are frictionless.

 

[e_burke]

thanks for that so the system moves to the right
to do part b)
is the x component of acceleration equal to (980sin30+490sin53)/150
which equals 5.88
then you do a similar thing for the y component using the cos values
then to work out the total acceleration you use Pythagorean therm
resulting in 9.625
is this the correct method of working

 

[sArGe99]

thanks for that so the system moves to the right
to do part b)
is the x component of acceleration equal to (980sin30+490sin53)/150
which equals 5.88
then you do a similar thing for the y component using the cos values
then to work out the total acceleration you use Pythagorean therm
resulting in 9.625
is this the correct method of working

Why use the Pythagorean theorem to find out the total acceleration?
There is no frictional force acting on either of the two blocks. Which component of weight causes the body to accelerate?