Calculating Tension and Friction in Newton's Second Law Problems

[TheRedDevil18]

Homework Statement

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

I'm not sure if their are frictional forces on the cart and the mass m. Also do I have to somehow get the length of the bar involved ?, not sure how to do that. Also is their a tension acting on the bar ?

 

[Orodruin]

It really does not matter if there are frictional forces on the cart since we have been told that it is accelerating at 2 m/s^2. This must mean that the net force, including frictional forces, gives it that acceleration.

Yes, there will be a tension in the bar - the tension will be necessary to accelerate the particle and keep it from falling.