Are pulled to the right on a horizontal frictionless table by a force F= 150N. The masses are connected by two cables. Find the acceleration of the System, and the tension in each cable (Ta and Tb).
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the total external force is 150N acting on a mass of 45kg
the acceleration of the system is 150N/45 kg = 3.33m/s/s
I am going to assume that the 10kg mass is trailing and is connected to the string with tension Tb, that the 20 kg mass is in the middle and is pulled forward by Ta and backward by Tb
the force acting on m3 is the tension Tb, so we have
Tb = m3 a = 10kg x 3.33m/s/s = 33.3N
the forces acting on m2 are
Ta - Tb = m2 a
Ta = Tb + m2 a = 33.3N + 15kg x 3.33m/s/s = 83.3N
the acceleration of the system is 150N/45 kg = 3.33m/s/s
I am going to assume that the 10kg mass is trailing and is connected to the string with tension Tb, that the 20 kg mass is in the middle and is pulled forward by Ta and backward by Tb
the force acting on m3 is the tension Tb, so we have
Tb = m3 a = 10kg x 3.33m/s/s = 33.3N
the forces acting on m2 are
Ta - Tb = m2 a
Ta = Tb + m2 a = 33.3N + 15kg x 3.33m/s/s = 83.3N