- #1
pointintime
- 166
- 0
Homework Statement
Three blocks on a frictionless horizontal surface are in contact with each other as shown in Fig. 4-5. A force F is applied to block 1 (mass m1). (a) Draw a free-body diagram for eeach block. Determine (b) the acceleration of the system (in terms of m1, m2, m3), (c) the net force on each block, and (d) the force of contact that each block exerts on its neighbor. (e) If m1 = m2 = m3 = 12.0 kg and F = 90 N, give numerical answers to (b), (c), and (d). Do your answers make sense intuitively?
Homework Equations
def of net force = ma
The Attempt at a Solution
ok i followed this problem my only problem with it is that were only given the force applied how are you suppose to find the acceleration of the system...
because net force = ma
were only given one force
applied the net force in the x direction there would be more than just the applied force... yes were ignoring friction and air resistance but still there would be others like the contact force opposing each block
so I don't see how simply taking 90 N and the total mass allows us to find the acceleration when 90 N is not the net force