Question

Two objects are connected by a light string that passes over a frictionless pulley as shown in the figure below. Assume the incline is frictionless and take m1 = 2.00 kg, m2 = 7.35 kg, and θ = 50.0°.

http://www.webassign.net/serpse8/5-p-030.gif

1) Find the magnitude of the accelerations of the objects. (m/s^2)
2)Find the tension in the string. (N)
3)Find the speed of each object 2.50 s after being released from rest. (m/s)

Answer 1

T - 7.35 g *sin(50) = 7.35 a
-T + 2 g = 2 a

to find 'a', solve one eqn. for T and sub.s into the other.
a negative value for 'a' means that the larger mass is sliding down the ramp and the smaller mass is rising.