What Is the Tension and Kinetic Friction in This Blocks and Pulleys System?

[FabricWarp]

Three Blocks total, Two on sides hanging off the table, and one Block on table in the middle of the two outer blocks. . . symmetrical.

block1 from left has a mass of M, hanging and connected to a pulley, which is the connected to Block 2(on a table) with Mass of 2M, Block three is also hanging but with mass of 2M. If acceleration is .5m/s^2, What is the Tension on the first string?
what is the Kinetic friction of Black 2 on Table?

Fnet=Ma

I started by writing that Block 3= 2Mg-T2=2Ma
Block 2= T2-T1=2Ma
Block 1= T1-Mg=Ma
I then connected Block3 to Block2, since they share T2
I would add forces but tensions would simply cancel out, at times even masses and Tension, leaving me with known variables=known variables, makes not sense. I tried many ways. This is all the info the book gives, but I feel I'm missing a key idea.


This has been driving me insane.
The tension question was given to me on a test, which I failed answering correctly.
The Kinetic question, I know from back of book, the coefficient of kinetic friction is = .37
But I don't know how exactly how they got to it. Some one please help.

 

[Doc Al]

I started by writing that Block 3= 2Mg-T2=2Ma

Good.

Block 2= T2-T1=2Ma

Don't forget that friction acts on Block 2.

Block 1= T1-Mg=Ma

Good.

Correct your equation for Block 2 and you'll be able to solve for the friction, then use that to find μ.

 

[tiny-tim]

Welcome to PF!

Hi FabricWarp! Welcome to PF!

(instead of using "SIZE" tags, try using the X² and X₂ tags just above the Reply box )

Block 2= T2-T1=2Ma

ooh, you're missing the obvious … you need a 2µMg somewhere in there, don't you?