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