Question

A 5-kg block lies on a smooth table top. A horizontal string connected to the block is passed over a small pulley at the edge of the table, and a body of mass 8 kg is hung from the other end of the string. Find the tension in the string and the acceleration of the bodies when the system is released.

Answer 1

weight down = 8 * 9.81

T up
so
m = hanging mass
m a = F
8 a = 8*9.81 - T
and top mass
T = 5 a

so
8 a = 8*9.81 - 5 a
3a = 8*9.81

a = 8 * 9.81/3

T = 5 * 8 * 9.81