Question

use the information below to answer the two questions that follow.
a block hangs from the ceiling by a light - weight string. a second block is attached to the first block and hangs below it on another piece of light string. each of the two blocks has a mass of 2.00 kg. all blocks are at rest (at least for now).

1. what is the tension in the bottom string?

Explanation:

Step1: Identify forces on bottom block

The bottom block is in equilibrium, so tension $T$ equals its weight.

Step2: Calculate weight of bottom block

Weight $W = mg$, where $m=2.00\ \text{kg}$, $g=9.8\ \text{m/s}^2$.
$T = mg = 2.00\ \text{kg} \times 9.8\ \text{m/s}^2$

Answer:

$19.6\ \text{N}$