Three blocks on a frictionless horizontal surface are in contact with each other

Question

Three blocks on a frictionless horizontal surface are in contact with each other, as shown in the figure below. A force F is applied to block 1 (mass m1).

(e) If m1 = m2 = m3 = 19.0 kg and F = 84.0 N, give numerical answers to (b), (c), and (d).
acceleration of the system
_____ m/s2 (to the right)

net force on m1
_____ N (to the right)

net force on m2
_____ N (to the right)

net force on m3
_____ N (to the right)

force of m1 on m2
_____ N (to the right)

force of m2 on m3

______ N (to the right)

Do your answers make sense intuitively? Explain.

Explanation / Answer

Solution:

Let us go to the basics first.

Acceleration of the system, a = F / (m1 + m2 + m3) = 84.0 N / (19.0 kg + 19.0 kg + 19.0 kg) = 1.473 m/s2 (Answer)

net force on m1 = m1*a = 19.0 kg*1.473 m/s2= 28 N (Answer)

net force on m2 = m2*a = 19.0 kg*1.473 m/s2 = 28 N (Answer)

net force on m3 = m3*a = 19.0 kg*1.473 m/s2 = 28 N (Answer)

Force of m1 on m2 = F - [m1*a} = 84.0 N - 28 N = 56 N (Answer)

Force of m2 on m3 = = m3*a = 28 N (Answer)

Thanks!!!

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