Identify the object or system and draw a free-body diagram
List all forces acting on the object
Choose the direction of motion or equilibrium axes
Apply Newton’s second law: sum of forces equals mass times acceleration
For equilibrium, set the net force equal to zero
Solve the force equations for the unknown tension
For a hanging mass at rest, use T = mg
For an accelerating hanging mass, use T = m(g ± a)
For two masses connected by a rope, write separate equations for each mass
For an object on an incline, resolve forces parallel and perpendicular to the surface
For multiple ropes or pulleys, write one equation for each segment or mass
Use the same tension along a massless rope over a frictionless pulley
Check units to ensure the tension is in newtons
Verify the result is physically reasonable