Question

Two blocks are connected by a string over a frictionless,
massless pulley such that one is resting on
an inclined plane and the other is hanging over the
top edge of the plane. The inclined plane is inclined at an angle of 37 degrees. The
hanging block has a mass of 16.0 kg, and the one on
the plane has a mass of 8.0 kg. The coefficient of
kinetic friction between the block and the inclined
plane is 0.23. The blocks are released from rest.

What is the acceleration of the blocks?

Answer 1

first, figure the friction on the inclined block,and the weight down the incline.
weight down the incline=mgSinTheta
friction on the incline: mg*mu*CosTheta.

Net force=total mass*a
writing net force along the string, clockwise is +.
force pulling-forces regarding=ma
+16g-8gSinTheta-8g*mu*CosTheta=(8+16)a

solve fodr acceleration a.