Blocks with masses of 1 kilogram, kilogram, and 3 kilogram are lined up in a row on a frictionless table. All three are pushed forward by a 12 Newton Force applied to the 1 kilogram block. Draw a free body diagram of all 3 blocks. How much force does the 2 kilogram block insert on the 3 kilogram block? How much force does a 2 kilogram block exert on the 1 kilogram block?
figure total acceleration
f=mass total * acceleration
Now, knowing acceleration, the force applied to any block is
f=(massesbeingpushed)a
To draw a free body diagram of the three blocks, we need to identify the forces acting on each block. Here is the breakdown:
1 kilogram block:
- Applied force of 12 Newtons (pushing it forward)
- Normal force (upward force from the table)
- Weight (downward force due to gravity)
2 kilogram block:
- Normal force (upward force from the table)
- Weight (downward force due to gravity)
- Force from the 1 kilogram block (exerted to the right)
3 kilogram block:
- Normal force (upward force from the table)
- Weight (downward force due to gravity)
- Force from the 2 kilogram block (exerted to the left)
Now, let's address the questions:
How much force does the 2 kilogram block exert on the 3 kilogram block?
Since the table is frictionless, the only force the 2 kilogram block can exert on the 3 kilogram block is the force of contact, which is equal in magnitude but in the opposite direction. Therefore, the force exerted by the 2 kilogram block on the 3 kilogram block would be 12 Newtons to the left.
How much force does a 2 kilogram block exert on the 1 kilogram block?
Again, since the table is frictionless, the only force the 2 kilogram block can exert on the 1 kilogram block is the force of contact. According to Newton's Third Law, this force would be equal in magnitude but in the opposite direction. Therefore, the force exerted by the 2 kilogram block on the 1 kilogram block would also be 12 Newtons but to the right.