General principle: For a system of connected bodies: a = (Net driving force) / (Total mass of system)

Common configurations:

1. Atwood Machine (m1 > m2): a = (m1 - m2)g / (m1 + m2) T = 2m1m2g / (m1 + m2)

2. Block on table + hanging mass (smooth table): a = $m_{hang}$ * g / ($m_{table}$ + $m_{hang}$) T = $m_{table}$ * $m_{hang}$ * g / ($m_{table}$ + $m_{hang}$)

3. Block on table + hanging mass (rough table, $mu_k$): a = ($m_{hang}$ * g - $mu_k$ * $m_{table}$ * g) / ($m_{table}$ + $m_{hang}$) T = $m_{table}$ * $m_{hang}$ * g * (1 + $mu_k$) / ... (use FBD)

4. Three blocks in a row on smooth surface, pushed by F: a = F / (m1 + m2 + m3) Contact forces found from individual FBDs