LEARN MORE
REMARKS Although the system approach appears quick and easy, it can be applied only in special cases and can't give any information about the internal forces, such as the tension. To find the tension, you must consider the free-body diagram of one of the blocks separately as was done in part (a) of this example.
QUESTION If mass m is increased, does the acceleration of the system increase, decrease, or remain the same?
O increases
O decreases
O remains the same
Does the tension increase, decrease, or remain the same?
O increases
O decreases
O remains the same
PRACTICE IT
Use the worked example above to help you solve this problem. A block with mass m = 4.50 kg and a ball figure (a). The coefficient of kinetic friction between the block and the surface is 0.300.
(a) Find the acceleration of the two objects and the tension in the string.
m/s^2
T
N
(b) Check the answer for the acceleration by using the system approach. (Use the following as necessary: m1, m2, and g.)
EXERCISE
HINTS: GETTING STARTED I'M STUCK!
the ball? How large must this mass be to increase the downward acceleration by 60%?
kg
Why isn't it possible to add enough mass to double the acceleration?