A 6.4-N force pulls horizontally on a 1.5-kg block that slides on a smooth horizontal surface. This block is connected by a horizontal string to a second block of mass m2=0.93 kg on the same surface, what is the acceleration of the blocks? What is the tension of the string?

Question

Physics

Patrick Alvarado

9 October, 08:57

A 6.4-N force pulls horizontally on a 1.5-kg block that slides on a smooth horizontal surface. This block is connected by a horizontal string to a second block of mass m2=0.93 kg on the same surface, what is the acceleration of the blocks? What is the tension of the string?

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Adriana Molina · Answer 1

- - Although it's not explicitly stated in the question, we have to assume that

the surface is frictionless. I guess that's what "smooth" means.

- - The total mass of both blocks is (1.5 + 0.93) = 2.43 kg. Since they're

connected to each other (by the string), 2.43 kg is the mass you're pulling.

- - Your force is 6.4 N.

Acceleration = (force) / (mass) = 6.4/2.43 m/s²

That's about 2.634 m/s²

(I'm going to keep the fraction form handy, because the acceleration has to be

used for the next part of the question, so we'll need it as accurate as possible.)

- - Both blocks accelerate at the same rate. So the force on the rear block (m₂) is

Force = (mass) x (acceleration) = (0.93) x (6.4/2.43) = 2.45 N.

That's the force that's accelerating the little block, so that must be the tension

in the string.