Two smooth blocks and of masses and are in contact with each other on a frictionless…
PHYSICS · Subjective · CBSE · Physics · Laws of Motion · Laws of Motion
Problem
Two smooth blocks A and B of masses m1 and m2 are in contact with each other on a frictionless horizontal surface. A constant horizontal force F is applied on block A in the forward direction.
(a) Draw clearly labelled free-body diagrams for blocks A and B separately, showing all horizontal forces acting on each block.
(b) Using Newton’s laws, obtain an expression for the common acceleration of the two-block system in terms of F, m1, and m2.
(c) Derive an expression for the magnitude of the contact force exerted by block A on block B.
(d) Prove that the contact force found in part (c) and the force exerted by block B on block A constitute an action–reaction pair, and explain why these forces do not alter the net external force acting on the two-block system as a whole.