Masses, M 1 , M 2 and M 3 are connected by strings of negligible mass which pass over massless and frictionless pulleys P 1 and P 2 as shown in the figure. The masses move such that the portion of the string between P 1 and P 2 is parallel to the inclined plane and the portion of the string between P 2 and M 3 is horizontal. The masses M 2 and M 3 are 4 . 0 kg each and the coefficient of kinetic friction between the

Step-by-step solution

Constant velocity means the net acceleration of the system is zero. Or the net pulling force on the system is zero. While calculating the pulling force, tension forces are not taken into consideration. Therefore, M 1 g = M 2 g sin 37 ° + μ M 2 g cos 37 ° + μ M 3 g or M 1 = M 2 sin 37 ° + μ M 2 cos 37 ° + μ M 3 Substituting the values M 1 = ( 4 ) ( 3 5 ) + ( 0.25 ) ( 4 ) ( 4 5 ) + ( 0.25 ) ( 4 ) = 4 .2 kg Since, M 3 is moving with uniform velocity T = μ M 3 g = ( 0 . 25 ) ( 4 ) ( 9 . 8 ) = 9 . 8 N