# Homework Help: Inclined pulley with table

1. Nov 5, 2012

### lames

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data

please take a look at the picture

m1= 4kg
m2= 5kg
angle is 30 degrees
(surfaces are frictionless)

find the acceleration and the tension
what are the formulas used for solving this?

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2. Nov 5, 2012

### Simon Bridge

Start by drawing a free-body diagram for each mass.
The formula is $\sum \vec{F} = m\vec{a}$

3. Nov 5, 2012

### lames

a little more help???

4. Nov 6, 2012

### Simon Bridge

Have you ever drawn a free-body diagram before?

5. Nov 6, 2012

### lames

yes but how will that help me?

6. Nov 6, 2012

### haruspex

Once you have drawn each diagram (one per mass), you should resolve forces in some pair of directions (common ones are horizontal, vertical, parallel to slope, normal to slope - any two of those will do, but it's usual to pick an orthogonal pair). That should allow you to write down two equations of the form net force = mass * net acceleration for each.
Draw the diagrams, post either the diagrams or descriptions of ithem, say which ways you are resolving, and post the equations you get.

7. Nov 7, 2012

### Simon Bridge

What haruspex said - draw a fbd and see.