Question

A light frictionless pulley carries a light cord to which is attached at one end a 50 N weight and at the other an 80 N weight. The weights are suddenly released. Find the acceleration and tension of the cord

Answer 1

$T-80=-m_1a$

$T-50=m_2a$

$T=80-m_1a$

$80-m_1a-50=m_2a$

$a=\frac{30}{m_1+m_2}=\frac{30}{80/9.8+50/9.8}=2.26(m/s^2)$

$T=80-2.26\cdot80/9.8=61.55(N)$