Question

Two adjacent blocks of mass m1 = 3.0 kg and m2 = 4.0 kg are on a frictionless surface.A force of 6.0 N is applied to m1,and a force of 4.0 N is applied to m2 ;these antiparallel forces squeeze the blocks together.What is the force due to m1 on m2? Due to m2 on m1? What is the acceleration of the system?

Answer 1

The force due to $m_{1}$ on $m_{2}$ is $6 N$

the force due to $m_{2}$ on $m_{1}$ is $4 N$

To get the acceleration, $a$ of the system, we find the net force, $F$ .

$F = 6N - 4N = 2N$

total mass $= 3 + 4 = 7$

$F = ma$

$a = \frac{F}{m} = \frac{2}{7} = 0.286 m s^{-2}$