Question

Assume that block A which has a mass of 30 kg is being pushed to the left with a force of 75 N along a frictionless surface. What is the friction force of block A on block B if the block B has a mass of 24 kg and is accelerating at 0.50 m/s2 to the right relative to the block A?
A. 99 N

B. 12 N

C. 63 N

D. 75 N

Answer 1

Answer:

The force of friction acting on block B is approximately 26.7N.  Note: this result does not match any value from your multiple choice list. Please see comment at the end of this answer.  

Explanation:

The acting force F=75N pushes block A into acceleration to the left. Through a kinetic friction force, block B also accelerates to the left, however, the maximum of the friction force (which is unknown) makes block B accelerate by 0.5 m/s^2 slower than the block A, hence appearing it to accelerate with 0.5 m/s^2 to the right relative to the block A.

To solve this problem, start with setting up the net force equations for both block A and B:

$F_{Anet} = m_A\cdot a_A = F - F_{fr}\\F_{Bnet} = m_B\cdot a_B = F_{fr}$

where forces acting to the left are positive and those acting to the right are negative. The friction force F_fr in the first equation  is due to A acting on B and in the second equation due to B acting on A. They are opposite in direction but have the same magnitude (Newton's third law). We also know that B accelerates 0.5 slower than A:

$a_B = a_A-0.5 \frac{m}{s^2}$

Now we can solve the system of 3 equations for a_A, a_B and finally for F_fr:

$30kg\cdot a_A = 75N - F_{fr}\\24kg\cdot a_B = F_{fr}\\a_B= a_A-0.5 \frac{m}{s^2}\\\implies \\a_A=\frac{87}{54}\frac{m}{s^2},\,\,\,a_B=\frac{10}{9}\frac{m}{s^2}\\F_{fr} = 24kg \cdot \frac{10}{9}\frac{m}{s^2}=\frac{80}{3}kg\frac{m}{s^2}\approx 26.7N$

The force of friction acting on block B is approximately 26.7N.

This answer has been verified by multiple people and is correct for the provided values in your question. I recommend double-checking the text of your question for any typos and letting us know in the comments section.

Answer 2

Answer:

what was the answer though

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Explanation: