Chapter 4
Newton's Three Laws
Part 12

Solution 15

We begin by writing all of the forces on mass 1.

Do the same thing for mass 2.

Now solve the two equations and two unknown values.

Then solve the solution for the acceleration.

Then plug in the masses and gravity to find the acceleration.

Now plug the expression for acceleration into one of the force equations then solve for the tension,T.

Finally, plug the values in this equation to find the tension in the cord.

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