How do I do this tension problem?

Question

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A cable is lifting a construction worker and a crate, as the drawing shows. The weights of the worker and crate are 953 and 1550 N, respectively. The acceleration of the cable is 0.620 m/s2, upward.

(a) What is the tension in the cable below the worker?

(b) What is the tension in the cable above the worker?

Thank you odu.

Answer 1

F= m * a

I am assuming the weigt is calculated using only gravity since they each will weigh more in the presence of an additional vertical force.

Since the weight is m * g where g=9.8
953/9.8=97.245 kg
1550/9.8=158.1633 kg

total mass = 255.4 kg

the total acceleration the mass is g + .620
=10.42 m/s^2

So the tension above is 255.4 * 10.42
=2661.3N
the tension below is 158.1633 * 10.42
=1648 N

j