Calculating Acceleration for a System of Frictional Forces with Two Cubes

[am92]

Homework Statement

in a figure with too cubes one sitting on the table and the other connected by a wire to the first box is off the table. m1+10 kg and m2+4.0 kg. The coeffecient of static friction between m1 and the horizontal surface is .50 and the coeffecient of kinetic friction is .30. If the object is released from resr what will its acceleration be and if the system is set in motiom with m2 moving downward what will be the acceleration of the system?

Homework Equations

m= the greek symbol mu

Fk=MkFn and fs is greater than or equal to MsFn

The Attempt at a Solution

I know how to solve the problem had an angle been given but there isn't one so I am clueless, I spent quite a while trying to figure it out!

 

[||spoon||]

first thing: draw a diagram and label all the forces acting, this always helps.

Then remember that the net force is proportional to mass (f=ma). It can be easier if you look at all the forces acting on only one box ( since the tension in the string is the effect of the other box)

Still having problems, give us a yell.

-spoon