Two masses M and m are connected at the two ends of an inextensible string. The string passes over a smooth frictionless pulley. Calculate the acceleration of the masses . Given M > m.

Explanation

Let the tension in the string = T , and acceleration of each block be a.
So, the equations of motion of the two blocks are,
T = `m_(1)a " and " m_(1) g - T = m_(2)`a
On adding the two equations, we get,
`" "m_(2) g = m_(1) a + m_(2) a `
or, `" " a = (m_(2))/(m_(1) + m_(2)) cdot g = (100)/(200 + 100) xx 980 = 326.7 cm cdot s^(-2)`
and T = `m_(1)a = 200 xx 326.7 = 65340` dyn.