Explanation:
Forces on Block A:
Let the x-axis be (+) towards the right and y-axis be (+) in the upward direction. We can write the net forces on mass [tex]m_A[/tex] as
[tex]x:\:\:(F_{net})_x = f_N - T = -m_Aa\:\:\:\:\:\:\:(1)[/tex]
[tex]y:\:\:(F_{net})_y = N - m_Ag = 0 \:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:(2)[/tex]
Substituting (2) into (1), we get
[tex]\mu_km_Ag - T = -m_Aa \:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:(3)[/tex]
where [tex]f_N= \mu_kN[/tex], the frictional force on [tex]m_A.[/tex] Set this aside for now and let's look at the forces on [tex]m_B[/tex]
Forces on Block B:
Let the x-axis be (+) up along the inclined plane. We can write the forces on [tex]m_B[/tex] as
[tex]x:\:\:(F_{net})_x = T - m_B\sin30= -m_Ba\:\:\:\:\:\:\:(4)[/tex]
[tex]y:\:\:(F_{net})_y = N - m_Bg\cos30 = 0 \:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:(5)[/tex]
From (5), we can solve for N as
[tex]N = m_B\cos30 \:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:(6)[/tex]
Set (6) aside for now. We will use this expression later. From (3), we can see that the tension T is given by
[tex]T = m_A( \mu_kg + a)\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:(7)[/tex]
Substituting (7) into (4) we get
[tex]m_A(\mu_kg + a) - m_Bg\sin 30 = -m_Ba[/tex]
Collecting similar terms together, we get
[tex](m_A + m_B)a = m_Bg\sin30 - \mu_km_Ag[/tex]
or
[tex]a = \left[ \dfrac{m_B\sin30 - \mu_km_A}{(m_A + m_B)} \right]g\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:\:(8)[/tex]
Putting in the numbers, we find that [tex]a = 1.4\:\text{m/s}[/tex]. To find the tension T, put the value for the acceleration into (7) and we'll get [tex]T = 21.3\:\text{N}[/tex]. To find the force exerted by the inclined plane on block B, put the numbers into (6) and you'll get [tex]N = 50.9\:\text{N}[/tex]
