Question

A 200g mass is connected by a string to a large mass which is accelerating to the right at 2m/s2. What angle, θ, does the string make from vertical? What would the angle be if the acceleration to the right was 9.8m/s2? [Hint: Focus just on the ball. And sinθ/cosθ = tanθ]

Answer 1

The string makes an angle such that the string lines up with the resultant acceleration (hence force).
Acceleration downwards = 9.81 m/s²
Horiz. acceleration = 2 m/s²

Therefore tan(θ)=2/9.81, solve for θ.