A 21.6-kg box rests on a table. A 19.3-kg box is placed on top of the first box, as shown. Determine the total force in N that the boxes exert on the table.
Calculate both F=m a for both masses and add them together?
Assuming A=9.8
The weights add.
To determine the total force that the boxes exert on the table, you need to calculate the force exerted by each box individually and then add them together.
First, calculate the force exerted by the 21.6-kg box using the formula F = m * a, where F is the force, m is the mass, and a is the acceleration due to gravity. Given that a is approximately 9.8 m/s^2, the force exerted by the 21.6-kg box is:
F1 = 21.6 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 = 211.68 N
Next, calculate the force exerted by the 19.3-kg box in the same manner:
F2 = 19.3 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 = 189.14 N
Finally, add the forces together to determine the total force exerted by both boxes on the table:
Total force = F1 + F2
Total force = 211.68 N + 189.14 N
Total force = 400.82 N
Therefore, the total force that the boxes exert on the table is approximately 400.82 Newtons (N).