Question

Two blocks with mass M₁ and M₂ are arranged as shown with M sitting on an inclined plane and connected with a massless unstretchable string running over a massless, frictionless pulley to M₂, which is hanging over the ground. The two masses are released initially from rest. The inclined plane has coefficients of static and kinetic friction μ_s and μ_k respectively where the angle θ is small enough that mass M₁ , would remain at rest due to static friction if there were no mass M₂ 

a) Draw separate free-body diagrams for each mass M₁ and M₂, and select (indicate on your figure) an appropriate coordinate system for each diagram; 

b) Find the minimum mass M_2,min such that the two masses begin to move; 

c) If M₂ is some value greater than this minimum (so that the block definitely slides), determine the magnitude of the acceleration of the blocks.

Answer 1