Question

If mA=10 and mB=8 determine the magnitude of the acceleration of the system

Answer 1

The free body diagram of the system can be shown as,

According to free body diagram, the tension in the chord can be given as,

`T=m_Aa`

Also, the tension due to second mass can be given as,

`T=m_Bg-m_Ba`

Equate both the values,

`\begin{gathered} m_Aa=m_Bg-m_Ba \\ (m_A+m_B)a=m_Bg \\ a=(m_Bg)/(m_A+m_B) \end{gathered}`

Substitute the known values,

`\begin{gathered} a=((8)(9.8m/s^2))/((10+8)) \\ =((8)(9.8m/s^2))/((18)) \\ \approx4.35m/s^2 \end{gathered}`

Therefore, the acceleration of the system is 4.35 m/s2.