Question

In the figure below,
m1 = 10.9 kg
and
m2 = 3.7 kg.
The coefficient of static friction between m1 and the horizontal surface is 0.60, and the coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.30.

(a) If the system is released from rest, what will its acceleration be? (Enter the magnitude of the acceleration.)

m/s2

(b) If the system is set in motion with m2 moving downward, what will be the acceleration of the system? (Enter the magnitude of the acceleration.)

m/s2

Answer 1

I could guess I suppose, but better you describe situation.
if m2 is hanging

m2 g -T = m2 a or T = m2 g - m2 a

T - .6 m1 g = m1 a or T = .6 m1 g + m1 a
so
(m1+m2)a = (m2-.6 m1) g
( have a hunch it will not move. .6m1 >m2:)

do it all again with .3