A block is in contact with another block on a horizontal surface
PHYSICS · Subjective · CBSE · Physics · Laws of Motion · Laws of Motion
Problem
A block M1=5kg is in contact with another block M2=3kg on a horizontal surface. The coefficient of kinetic friction between each block and the table is μk=0.2. A horizontal force F is applied on M1 toward the right causing both blocks to move together with constant acceleration.
(i) Draw the free-body diagram for each block, showing all forces clearly.
(ii) Derive an expression for the minimum value of F needed so that both blocks accelerate without separation.
(iii) Using your expression, calculate the numerical value of this minimum force.
(iv) For the force obtained in part (iii), compute the contact force that acts on M2 due to M1.