PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Laws of Motion · Laws of Motion
Problem
Two blocks, R and S, of masses 1.0kg and 2.0kg respectively, are initially at rest in contact on a level, frictionless surface. A horizontal force of 9.0N is suddenly applied to block R, pushing it toward block S so that both blocks accelerate together.
(a) Determine the magnitude of the acceleration of the two-block system.
(b) Calculate the magnitude of the contact force that block S exerts on block R while they accelerate.
(c) Describe how the answer to part (b) would change, if at all, if the external force were instead applied to block S (toward block R) while all other conditions remained the same. Justify your response without performing additional calculations.