Question

A m1 = 1.15-kg aluminum block and a m2 = 7.45-kg copper block are connected by a light string over a frictionless pulley. The two blocks are allowed to move on a fixed steel block wedge (of angle = 31.5°) as shown in the figure. (For aluminum on steel, s = 0.61 and k = 0.47. For copper on steel, s = 0.53 and k = 0.36.)

Answer 1

To find the tension in the connecting string, you can use Newton's second law and consider the forces acting on each block. By setting up equations using Newton's second law for each block and solving the system of equations, you can determine the tension in the string.

Step-by-step explanation:

The tension in the connecting string can be found using Newton's second law and considering the forces acting on each block. Since the blocks are connected and move together at constant speed, their accelerations are equal in magnitude. Using the equation for the force of friction, Ffriction = µmg, where µ is the coefficient of kinetic friction, m is the mass of the block, and g is the acceleration due to gravity, we can determine the force of friction acting on each block. By setting up equations using Newton's second law for each block and solving the system of equations simultaneously, we can find the tension in the string.