A block of mass m1 = 38 kg on a horizontal surface is connected to a mass m2 = 2

Question

A block of mass m1 = 38 kg on a horizontal surface is connected to a mass m2 = 21.8 kg that hangs vertically as shown in the figure below. The two blocks are connected by a string of negligible mass passing over a frictionless pulley. The coefficient of kinetic friction between m1 and the horizontal surface is 0.28. (a) What is the magnitude of the acceleration of the hanging mass? Incorrect: Your answer is incorrect. Did you draw a free-body diagram for each of the two masses and identify all the forces acting on them? m/s2 (b) Determine the magnitude of the tension in the cord above the hanging mass. . N

Explanation / Answer

(a) For mass m lying on horizontal surface : T = m1a

For mass m hanging vertically : m2g - T = m2a

Elliminating T from both the equations we get

m2g - m1a = m2a

a = m2g / (m1+m2)

a = (21.8 kg x 9.8 m/s2) / (38 kg + 21.8 kg)

a = 3.57 m/s2

(b) T = m1a = 38 kg x 3.57 m/s2

T = 135.76 N

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