Question

Two blocks of masses m1 and m2 are attached at the ends of an inextensible string which passes over a
smooth massless pulley. If m1 > m2, find :

(i) The acceleration of each block

(ii) The tension in the string​

Answer 1

first draw the free body diagram of the given figure

note the following

1)mass M

1

has its acceleration in upward direction

2)mass M

2

has its acceleration in downward direction

3)tension will remain same in both the string

now resolving the forces for both the block we find

T-M1 gsinα=M1a

T-M2 gsinβ=-M2a

hence we substitute the value of T in any of the following we get

T=M1a+M1 gsinα

M1a+M1gsinα-M2gsinβ=-M2a

M1gsinα-M2gsinβ=-a(M2+M1)

a=M2gsinβ-M1gsinα/M2+M1