A block of mass 0.2 kg is suspended from the ceiling by a light string. A second block of mass 0.3 kg is suspended from the first block through another string. Determine the tensions in the upper and lower strings, respectively. Take g = 10 m/s ^2 .

Step-by-step solution

Let m₁ = 0.2 kg be the mass of the upper block and m₂ = 0.3 kg be the mass of the lower block. For the lower block, the forces acting on it are its weight downwards and the tension T₂ of the lower string upwards. Since the system is in equilibrium: T₂ = m₂ g T₂ = 0.3 10 = 3 N For the upper block, the forces acting on it are its weight downwards, the tension T₂ downwards, and the tension T₁ of the upper string upwards. Since it is in equilibrium: T₁ = m₁ g + T₂ T₁ = 0.2 10 + 3 = 2 + 3 = 5 N Alternatively, the upper