How Does Net Torque Affect Pulley Acceleration in an Atwood Machine?

[solarcat]

Homework Statement

There is a massive pulley that can rotate that has two masses (mass 1 on the left is less than mass 2 on the right). The system starts at rest and the masses have potential energy. Will the tension force be greater on the right side or left side?

Relevant Equations

Torque = Force*Distance
Net Torque on Pulley = Moment of Inertia of Pulley * Angular Acceleration of Pulley

A net torque is required to make the pull rotate, so this can only occur if the tension forces differ. I know mass 1 will accelerate upwards and mass 2 will accelerate downwards, so T1>mAg and T2<mBg. But I don't know where to go from there.

 

[BvU]

I don't know which is A and which is B, but the idea is ok. Make a drawing and make free-body diagrans

 

[solarcat]

 

[haruspex]

A net torque is required to make the pull rotate, so this can only occur if the tension forces differ

Right, so what is the net torque? Which way will the pulley accelerate?
(I don't see how m_pg is relevant.)