Findin buckets' tension when there are two strings n two buckets

[Natali]

1. problem
one 3.1 kg paint bucket is hangin by a massless cord from another 3.1 kg paint bucket, also hanging by a massless cord. if the buckets are at rest, what is the tension in each cord? If the two buckets are pulled upwards with an acceleration of 1.9 m/s^2 by the upper cord, calculate the tention in each cord.

Homework Equations

Newtons second equation of motion

The Attempt at a Solution

draw a free body diagram , tension and gravity acts on both buckets but the upper bucket has two tensions from the upper string and the lower string,
how do u get rid of one variable?

 

[physics girl phd]

Again, I suggest drawing a free body diagram for EACH object. The free body diagrams are linked by tension. In this case, the net force on each object is not zero... since there is acceleration, so you have to include that when you use the free body diagram to solve for values of force.