The question states:
A 5.2 kg box is on a frictionless 36 degree slope and is connected via a massless string over a massless, frictionless pulley to a hanging 2.1 kg weight. What is the tension in the string if the 5.2 kg box is held in place, so that it cannot move?
I summed the forces in the x direction for the 5.2 kg block:
F(net)= T - Mg sin(36)=0
and the forces in the y for the 2.1 block
F(net) = T - mg = 0
solving for T in the 1st equation gives me T=29 while solving for T in the other gives me 20.5 which is the answer. Why didn't the both give me the same T?
1 answer