- #1
The Wanderer
- 12
- 0
Homework Statement
Tom now pushes eight identical blocks on the horizontal and frictionless table (he’s compulsive). The force that block 1 exerts on block 2 is F12; the force that block 7 exerts on block 8 is F78. What is the ratio F12/ F78?
Homework Equations
F=ma
Δp = FnetΔt
The Attempt at a Solution
So really my problem is just understanding why the ratio isn't 1. I have no idea how to work it out... this is my attempt and I'm not sure if it is correct.
The force block 1 exerts on block 2 would just be mass*acceleration of the first block. However the force block 7 exerts on block 8 would be mass of one block*7*acceleration as the mass of all the first 7 blocks are being pushed at this acceleration. Therefore the ratio would be 1/7. Is this correct?