Question

Consider two sleds that are connected by rope. The first sled has a mass of 60kg, while the second sled has a mass of 40kg. If a force of 250 N acting to the first sled, determine the acceleration of the sled and the tension in the rope connecting two sleds.

Answer 1

The acceleration of the system is

$$a=F/(m+M)=2.5\text{ m/s}^2.$$

The tension in the rope is

$$T=ma=40\cdot2.5=100\text{ N}.$$