Block 1 has a mass of 60 kg, block 2 has a mass of 30
kg. The person pushing the blocks exerts a force of 45 N
on block 1. Assume the surface is smooth.
Find the acceleration of this two-block system and find F2on1.
To find the acceleration of the two-block system, we can use Newton's second law of motion, which states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass.
Step 1: Find the net force acting on the system
Since the person is pushing block 1, the force applied to block 1 is also the net force acting on the system. Therefore, the net force is 45 N.
Step 2: Find the total mass of the system
The total mass of the system is the sum of the masses of the two blocks.
Total mass = mass of block 1 + mass of block 2
Total mass = 60 kg + 30 kg
Total mass = 90 kg
Step 3: Calculate the acceleration
Using Newton's second law:
Net force = mass × acceleration
Substituting the known values:
45 N = 90 kg × acceleration
Solving for acceleration:
acceleration = 45 N / 90 kg
acceleration = 0.5 m/s^2
Therefore, the acceleration of the two-block system is 0.5 m/s^2.
To find F2on1 (the force exerted by block 2 on block 1), we can use Newton's third law of motion, which states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
Since block 1 and block 2 are connected and moving together, the force exerted by block 2 on block 1 (F2on1) will be the same magnitude as the force exerted by block 1 on block 2, but in the opposite direction.
Therefore, F2on1 = 45 N
So, F2on1 is equal to 45 N.