What is the acceleration and tension in a pulley system?

[megaforcetkd]

Homework Statement

Apply Newton's second law to find formulas for the magnitude of the acceleration of the system and for the tension in the cord. Ignore friction and the masses of the pulley and cord. (Use only the following: m_1 for m1, m_2 for m2, and g for gravity.)

a = ?
T = ?

Homework Equations

Sum forces = ma?

The Attempt at a Solution

I honestly have no idea how to do this..

 

[Doc Al]

(1) Identify all forces acting on each mass
(2) Apply Newton's 2nd law to each mass separately

 

[megaforcetkd]

Well we don't have any numbers to work with so I'm trying to figure out just formulas.. I have no idea how to go about this.. I've just started this course and I haven't learned very much to do this..

 

[Doc Al]

You don't need numbers. Just label the forces with symbols. For example: The tension force from the string can be labeled "T". Express the force of gravity in terms of mg. Call the acceleration "a".

Reading this over might help you: Standard Newton's Laws Problems