A block of mass m1 sits on a track tilted at an angle θ. A second block of mass m2 sits on a track tilted at a different angle β. A string runs over a pulley to connect the two blocks. The material making the ramps is special: the coefficient of kinetic friction is exactly the same as the coefficient of static friction!
Make a free-body diagram for each block. Make a table showing all the forces on each block in the x- and y-directions.
Hint: the axes for both blocks will be tilted
Write down equations for total forces in X-direction, and total forces in Y-direction. This time, the net forces may NOT add up to zero.
Suppose that m1 = 3.0 kg, θ = 20 deg , m2 = 1.8 kg , β = 78 deg, and mu = 0.13. What will happen to the two blocks when they are released?
If you have time ... Suppose that mu = 0.28. What will happen to the two blocks when they are released?