Question

A block with a mass of 30 kg is located on a horizontal, frictionless tabletop. this block is connected by a rope to another block with a mass of 10 kg. the rope is looped through a pulley on the table's edge so that the less massive block is hanging over the edge. what is the magnitude of the acceleration of the larger block across the table

Answer 1

The net force that acts on the larger block is equal to the weight of the smaller block which can be calculated through the equation,
W = m x g

where W is weight, m is the smaller mass, and g is the acceleration due to gravity. Substituting the known values,
W = (10 kg)(9.8 m/s²) = 98 N

Then, the net force is,
F = M x a

where F is the net force, M is the larger mass, and a is the acceleration.
98N = (30) x a

a = 3.2 m/s²

ANSWER: a = 3.2 m/s²