Unknown mass on a pulley system - Help

AI Thread Summary
The problem involves a 100 kg block descending 1.0 m in 6.0 seconds, and the goal is to find the unknown mass on the left side of a pulley system. The initial calculations for tension and acceleration are attempted, but confusion arises regarding the application of Newton's second law. The correct approach requires calculating acceleration first and then applying the correct signs for the forces acting on the masses. The key error identified is the reversal of the signs in the equation for acceleration, which affects the solution for the unknown mass. Properly addressing this will lead to the correct mass calculation.
dazedconfused
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Homework Statement


The 100 kg block shown in the diagram takes 6.0s to reach the floor 1.0m below after being released from rest. What is the mass of the block on the left?

Homework Equations


Newton's Third Law
F=ma
F (a on b) = -F (b on a)

The Attempt at a Solution



I don't even know where to start, I was sick last class and can't figure out how to do this from the textbook. I've tried so far:
T1 = tension rope 1
T2 = tension rope 2
t0= 0s
t1= 6s
d=1.0m
g=9.8m/s^2
m1=unknown, find
m2=100kg
mass M: Fy = 0
T1-mg=0
T1=mg

T2= mg = (100kg)(9.8m/s^2)
= 980N

And now I'm lost.
 

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Start over.

(1) Calculate the acceleration from the given information.

(2) Apply Newton's 2nd law to each mass. This will allow you to solve for the tension in the rope and for the unknown mass.
 
By using Newton's 2nd law,

d=0.5at2 (since v0 is zero),

I got an a=0.0556 m/s^2

Now, since they're on a pulley,

a= (m2g-m1g) / (m2+m1)

Plugging in, I get:

0.0556 = [(100kg*9.8m/s^2)-(m1*9.8m/s^2)] / 100kg + m1

rearranging, 5.56 + 0.0556 m1 = 980 - 9.8 m1
m1 = 100 kg

I know that's not the right answer, where am I going wrong?
 
The only error I see is here:
dazedconfused said:
a= (m2g-m1g) / (m2+m1)
You have the signs of the two weights reversed. (Take positive to be in the direction of the acceleration.)
 
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