[seunthegreat]

The particles have mass 3 kg and m kg, where m < 3. They are attached to the ends of a light inextensible string. The string passes over a smooth fixed pulley. The particles are held in position with the string taut and the hanging parts of the string vertical, as shown in the diagram above. The particles are then released from rest. The initial acceleration of each particle has magnitude g. Find

(a) the tension in the string immediately after the particles are released, (3)
(b) the value of m.

[TenOfThem]

What have you done so far

And

Are you sure that question is correct ... can you show the diagram

[seunthegreat]

I just cant get started on it.

The question with the diagram has been attached.

[TenOfThem]

(Original post by seunthegreat)
I just cant get started on it.

The question with the diagram has been attached.

Do you want to correct your OP to show the correct initial acceleration?



You use F=ma

Look at the 3kg particle

What direction is it moving
What is the overall force in that direction
put that = ma

[torakrubik]

Resolve each particle separately to derive 2 simultaneous equations (you may only need to resolve one particle to find the tension though). Then resolve the particle on the right with the tension value, and you will be able to algebraically find m.