A 10.0N frictionless pulley is suspended from an overhead supported by a chain. two weights suspend off the pulley. One weight is 30.0N and the other is 20.0N. (a) What is the tension on the rope? (B) what is the acceleration of the weights? (c) what is the tension on the chain?

Answer 1

T = tension

mass 1 = 30/g
mass 2 = 20/g

for mass 1
m a = m g - T
(30/g)a = (30/g) g - T

for mass 2
(20/g) a = T - (20/g)g

add the two equations
(50/g) a = (10/g) g
so
a = g/5 or about 9.81/5 = 1.96 m/s^2
that is Part B
go back and get T for part A
then for part C
chain tension = 2 T + 10