Solving a Frictionless Pulley Problem: Acceleration of m2

[physicsbro]

Homework Statement

A 29.3 kg block, m1, is on a horizontal surface, connected to a 6.70 kg block, m2, by a massless string as shown. The frictionless pulley has a radius R = 0.055 m and a moment of inertia I = 0.100 kg·m2. A force F = 202.5 N acts on m1 at an angle θ = 29.7°. There is no friction between m1 and the surface. What is the upward acceleration of m2?

Homework Equations

The Attempt at a Solution

My textbook says that the net tension divided by the moment of inertia would give me the $$\alpha$$ and that multiplied by the radius would give me the acceleration, but it didnt work.

 

[Doc Al]

My textbook says that the net tension divided by the moment of inertia would give me the $$\alpha$$ and that multiplied by the radius would give me the acceleration, but it didnt work.

That's certainly true, but you'll need the tensions to make use of it. Hint: Apply Newton's 2nd law to both masses and the pulley. Combine those three equations and you can solve for the acceleration.