What is the acceleration of the upper block connected by a string?

AI Thread Summary
To determine the acceleration of the upper block connected by a string, start by drawing free body diagrams for both blocks to identify the forces acting on them. Apply Newton's laws to each block, keeping in mind that both blocks share the same acceleration due to their connection. The coefficient of kinetic friction, given as 0.11, will affect the net force acting on the upper block. Remember that the tension in the string remains constant on both sides of the ideal pulley. This approach will lead to the correct calculation of the upper block's acceleration.
kdb004
Messages
12
Reaction score
0

Homework Statement



Two blocks are connected by a string as pictured in this link below
http://session.masteringphysics.com/problemAsset/1176902/2/ch05.P070.jpg

What is the upper block's acceleration if the coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the table is 0.11?
I am unsure of where to start or an equation to even use. help on how to solve it would be greatly appreciated
 
Last edited:
Physics news on Phys.org
Draw a free body diagram of each block, and identify the forces acting on each. Then use Newton's laws for each block. Note that the acceleration of both blocks must have the same magnitude, since they move together. Also note that the tension in a cord wrapped around an ideal pulley is the same on both sides of the pulley.
 

Thread 'Errors and significant figures'

I multiplied the values first without the error limit. Got 19.38. rounded it off to 2 significant figures since the given data has 2 significant figures. So = 19. For error I used the above formula. It comes out about 1.48. Now my question is. Should I write the answer as 19±1.5 (rounding 1.48 to 2 significant figures) OR should I write it as 19±1. So in short, should the error have same number of significant figures as the mean value or should it have the same number of decimal places as...
View full post »
Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Thread 'A cylinder connected to a hanging mass'

Let's declare that for the cylinder, mass = M = 10 kg Radius = R = 4 m For the wall and the floor, Friction coeff = ##\mu## = 0.5 For the hanging mass, mass = m = 11 kg First, we divide the force according to their respective plane (x and y thing, correct me if I'm wrong) and according to which, cylinder or the hanging mass, they're working on. Force on the hanging mass $$mg - T = ma$$ Force(Cylinder) on y $$N_f + f_w - Mg = 0$$ Force(Cylinder) on x $$T + f_f - N_w = Ma$$ There's also...
View full post »

Similar threads

Block tied to a fixed string on an accelerating wedge
Replies
37
Views
2K
Newton's law problem: Pushing 2 stacked blocks on a horizontal table
Replies
13
Views
3K
Tension force and acceleration Problem
Replies
1
Views
2K
Pulling down on the string connected to a whirling block on a table
Replies
1
Views
2K
Newton's laws — Two stacked blocks sliding on a frictionless floor
Replies
17
Views
3K
Incline with friction and two blocks
Replies
5
Views
3K
Finding the time it takes for two stacked blocks to travel
Replies
18
Views
3K
Two blocks connected by a string
Replies
2
Views
5K
Find when the acceleration is 0
Replies
15
Views
2K
How Does Friction Affect the Acceleration and Tension in a Two-Block System?
Replies
9
Views
2K

Hot Threads

Recent Insights

Back
Top