Calculating Magnitude of Contact Force Between Boxes 1 & 2

In summary, the contact force between boxes 1 and 2 is not 9.00 N as initially thought, but rather the force required to accelerate the remaining mass after accounting for the force needed to push boxes 2 and 3.
  • #1
BugsSport
13
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Homework Statement


A force of magnitude 9.00 N pushes three boxes with masses m1 = 1.30 kg, m2 = 2.80 kg, and m3 = 4.90 kg
05-20alt.gif

Find the magnitude of the contact force between boxes 1 and 2.

Homework Equations


Fnet,x = ma?


The Attempt at a Solution


I thought that it would be 9.00 N, since the boxes are back-to-back-to-back, but that answer is wrong.
 
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  • #2
BugsSport said:

Homework Statement


A force of magnitude 9.00 N pushes three boxes with masses m1 = 1.30 kg, m2 = 2.80 kg, and m3 = 4.90 kg
05-20alt.gif

Find the magnitude of the contact force between boxes 1 and 2.

Homework Equations


Fnet,x = ma?

The Attempt at a Solution


I thought that it would be 9.00 N, since the boxes are back-to-back-to-back, but that answer is wrong.

Welcome to PF.

At the interface between 1 and 2, the mass of 2 and 3 has already been accounted for by the force, so the force required to accelerate the remaining mass is given by the force that it needs to still push.

Otherwise, if that force was still the whole 9N, then applying that to the total mass left would result in an acceleration to the left that just wouldn't be there.
 
  • #3
okay got it thank you
 

FAQ: Calculating Magnitude of Contact Force Between Boxes 1 & 2

How do you calculate the magnitude of contact force between two boxes?

The magnitude of contact force between two boxes can be calculated by using the formula F = μN, where F is the contact force, μ is the coefficient of friction, and N is the normal force. The normal force can be calculated by multiplying the mass of the box by the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²). In order to calculate the coefficient of friction, you will need to know the types of surfaces in contact and their respective coefficients of friction.

What is the normal force in the equation for calculating contact force?

The normal force is the force exerted by a surface on an object that is in contact with it. In the context of calculating contact force between two boxes, it refers to the force exerted by one box on the other due to their weight.

How does the coefficient of friction affect the magnitude of contact force?

The coefficient of friction is a measure of the resistance between two surfaces in contact. It determines the amount of force required to overcome the friction between the two surfaces. As the coefficient of friction increases, so does the magnitude of contact force between the two boxes.

What factors can affect the accuracy of the calculation for contact force?

There are several factors that can affect the accuracy of the calculation for contact force between two boxes. These include the accuracy of the measurements (e.g. mass, coefficient of friction), the condition of the surfaces in contact (e.g. roughness, cleanliness), and external forces such as air resistance or vibrations.

Can the calculation for contact force be applied to any objects in contact?

Yes, the calculation for contact force can be applied to any objects in contact as long as the necessary information, such as the mass, coefficient of friction, and normal force, is known. It is a fundamental principle in physics and can be used to understand the behavior of various objects in contact with one another.

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