# Problem: The block of mass M in the following figure slides on a frictionless surface. (Figure 1)Find an expression for the tension in the string.Express your answer in terms of the variables m, M, and appropriate constants.

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###### FREE Expert Solution

Newton's second law:

$\overline{){\mathbf{\Sigma }}{\mathbf{F}}{\mathbf{=}}{\mathbf{m}}{\mathbf{a}}}$

We'll apply Newton second law to each block. The tension in the rope is the same. The blocks have the same acceleration.

For the block of mass m:

The vertical forces are: The weight acts downward. The tension is upward. The acceleration is downward.

Take upward as positive.

ΣF = T - mg = m(-a)

T - mg = -ma Equation 1

For the block of mass M (we'll ignore vertical forces because we don't need the normal force):

###### Problem Details

The block of mass M in the following figure slides on a frictionless surface. (Figure 1)

Find an expression for the tension in the string.

Express your answer in terms of the variables m, M, and appropriate constants.