Three blocks, P, Q

PHYSICS · Subjective · CBSE · Physics · Laws of Motion · Laws of Motion

Problem

Three blocks, P, Q, and R, slide across identical horizontal surfaces. Each surface exerts a kinetic friction force of

0.50\,\text{N}

on a moving block. A horizontal pulling force of

3.0\,\text{N}

is applied to each block separately so that each block accelerates. The masses are

0.40\,\text{kg}

for P,

0.60\,\text{kg}

for Q, and

0.40\,\text{kg}

for R. (For block R the

3.0\,\text{N}

force is split equally between two strings that pull in the same direction, so the net applied pulling force remains

3.0\,\text{N}

.) Rank the magnitudes of the accelerations

a_P

a_Q

, and

a_R

from greatest to least and support your ranking with brief reasoning.