Two blocks tied with massless rope sliding down an incline

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on calculating the tension in a rope connecting two blocks sliding down a 20-degree incline. The top block (mass 2.0 kg) has a coefficient of kinetic friction of 0.30, while the bottom block (mass 3.0 kg) has a coefficient of 0.20. The net forces for each block were calculated, leading to an incorrect tension value of 2.94 N due to an error in the free body diagram. The correct approach involves accurately accounting for friction and drawing proper free body diagrams for both blocks.

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  • Understanding of Newton's Second Law (F=ma)
  • Knowledge of frictional forces (f = F_N * u)
  • Ability to draw and analyze Free Body Diagrams (FBDs)
  • Basic concepts of inclined plane physics
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  • Review the principles of Free Body Diagrams in physics
  • Study the effects of kinetic friction on motion down an incline
  • Learn how to calculate net forces on multiple connected objects
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Homework Statement


On 20 degree incline, there are two blocks tied together with a rope, sliding down. the block on the top has mass of 2.0 kg (m1) and u_k1(coefficient of kinetic friction for block 1) = .30 the block on the bottom of the incline has mass of 3.0 kg (m2) and u_k2 = .20
What is the tension of the rope?


Homework Equations


F=ma, f = F_N*u


The Attempt at a Solution


I found F_net for each block by F_net = F_gx(Force of gravity in horiz. direction) - f(friction)
and got F1_net = .8236 N and F2_net = 4.1754 N
and because of acceleration constraint, and because block 1 has slower accel, I found accel for block 1, which was .4118 m/s^2 and found F = m2(a) = 1.2354 N
Because F2_net is larger than F = m2(a), I subtracted those two and got T = 2.94 N which is not correct.
 
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Draw a Free Body Diagram for each block.

How did you account for friction?
 
I figured it out! I just didn't draw the right free body diagram..

Thanks!
 

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