Answer:
a) System aceleration:
b) Direction of movement:
The block [tex]m_1[/tex] down the plane when the acceleration is negative. This occur when:
[tex]m_2-m_1sin(\theta)<0[/tex]
The block [tex]m_2[/tex] up the plane when the acceleration is positive. This occur when:
[tex]m_2-m_1sin(\theta)>0[/tex]
Explanation:
For the block [tex]m_1[/tex] the move direction is parallel (||) to the plane
[tex]\sum F_{||}=m_1a=T-sin(\theta)mg[/tex] (1)
For the block [tex]m_2[/tex] the move direction is vertical (y)
[tex]\sum F_y=m_2a=m_2g-T[/tex] (2)
Both blocks are connected with the same cable, therefore, the tension on the cable and the acceleration is the same for both.
Solving the equation 2 for T:
[tex]T=m_2g-m_2a[/tex] (3)
replacing (3) in the equation (1)
[tex]m_2g-m_2a- m_1gsin(\theta)=m_1a[/tex] (4)
solving (4) for a:
[tex]a=\frac{g(m_2-m_1sin(\theta))}{m_1+m_2}[/tex]