Two packing crates of masses 7.88 kg and 4.62 kg are connected by a light string that passes over a frictionless pulley as in the figure below. The 4.62 kg crate lies on a smooth incline of angle 40.0°.

Question

a) Find the acceleration of the 4.62 kg crate

Answer 1

m2•a=T - m2•g•sinα => T= m2•a + m2•g•sinα

m1•a=m1•g – T= m1•g - m2•a - m2•g•sinα.
a=g•(m1-m2•sinα)/(m1+m2) = 9.8•(7.88-4.62• sin40°)/(7.88+4.62) =
=.... m/s²,
T= m1(g-a)= 7.88•(9.8- a) = ... N.