How Do You Calculate Acceleration in a Two-Mass System with Newton's Laws?

AI Thread Summary
To calculate the acceleration in a two-mass system using Newton's Laws, start by determining the force acting on the hanging mass. For a 5.0-kg mass, the force due to gravity is calculated as F = 5.0 kg * 9.8 m/s², resulting in 49 N. Next, a free body diagram should be drawn for both the hanging mass and the mass on the table to identify the net forces acting on them. This will help in applying Newton's second law (F = ma) to find the acceleration of the 10.0-kg mass on the frictionless table. Properly analyzing the forces will lead to the correct calculation of acceleration in the system.
dorkee
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Homework Statement


A 10.0-kg mass on a frictionless table is accelerated by a 5.0-kg mass hanging from a table. Calculate the acceleration of the mass on the table. (It gives a picture but I can draw it if nobody can picture the diagram).

Homework Equations


F=ma
F=mg

The Attempt at a Solution


Okay, so I don't even know if I'm going in the right direction but I did this so far:
I solved for the force for the 5.0 kg block which is the one hanging from the table.
F=ma
F = (5.0 kg)(9.8 m/s^2)
F = 49 N

And now I'm just stuck.
 
Last edited:
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Draw a free body diagram of each block and find the net forces acting on them.
 

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