Determine a formula for the acceleration of the system of the two blocks in terms of m1, m2, θ and g. Assume that positive axis is directed down the plane.

Question

A block (mass m1) lying on a frictionless inclined plane is connected to a mass m2 by a massless cord passing over a pulley, as shown in the figure.

The answer that I got was a = [g(m2 - m1(sin Θ))]/(m1 + m2)  but I'm not sure if its correct. I tried putting it into the mastering physics website and it keeps telling me use the subscript button to enter a subscript in my answer.

Answer 1

Your answer looks great. Two Meeting Mastering Physics tips:

1. Have you double-checked that all if your 1s and 2s are formatted properly as subscripts? One answer is sometimes to retype the answer.

2. Could it be that Mastering Physics doesn't do well with your use of 3 levels of parentheses and brackets? Try not factoring out a g (which would reduce a level of parentheses) and see what happens.