Block on a table

1. Feb 14, 2008

jesuslovesu

[SOLVED] Block on a table

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

I am having some trouble finding the acceleration of the blocks, can anyone help me?

The weight of B is 6 lbs.
The weight of A is 5 lbs.
The friction coef is .3

2. Relevant equations

3. The attempt at a solution

1) The positive y axis goes from left to right
sum of forces in y = (6/32)*ab = 2T - 1.8

2) positive y axis goes from top to bottom
sum of forces in y = (5/32)*aa = 5-T

I know that aa = -2ab
The way my book derives the relationship between aa and ab is from 'dependent motion' they say that length = sa + 2sb and taking the time derivative twice is 0 = aa + 2ab, the problem is with the way I have my equations setup, when i use aa = -2ab i get the wrong answer, does anyone know how I can fix it so I am using aa = -2ab and getting the correct answer?
I don't see anything wrong with my equations, but i am getting the wrong accelerations. Can anyone help?

Last edited: Feb 14, 2008
2. Feb 14, 2008

Staff: Mentor

sign problems

Not exactly. You've defined both aa and ab to be positive when B moves right and A moves down, so it should be: aa = 2ab.
That's fine, but realize that you are defining the position of B to increase to the right, but sb actually decreases when mass B moves to the right. That's why you need to change the sign.

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