Question

Two blocks, joined by a string, have masses of 6.0 and 9.0 kg. They rest on a frictionless, horizontal surface. A second string, attached only to the 6.0-kg block, has horizontal force = 45 N applied to it. Both blocks accelerate. Find the tension in the string between the blocks.

Answer 1

Answer:

T= 27 N

Explanation:

Assuming that the string joining both masses is massless  and inextensible, both masses accelerate at the same rate.

So, we can treat to both masses as a single system, and apply Newton's 2nd Law to both masses.

In this way, we can get the value of the acceleration without taking into account the tension in the string, as it is an internal force (actually a action-reaction pair).

Newton's 2nd law is a vector equation, so we can decompose the forces along perpendicular axis in order to convert it in two algebraic equations.

We can choose one axis as parallel to the horizontal surface (we call it x-axis, being the positive direction the one of  the movement of the blocks due to the horizontal force applied to the 6.0 kg block), and the other, perpendicular to it, so it is vertical (we call y-axis, being the upward direction the positive one).

Taking into account the forces acting  on both masses, we can write both equations as follows:

Fy = N- (m₁+m₂)*g = 0 (as there is no movement in the vertical direction)

Fx = Fh = (m₁ + m₂) * a ⇒ 45 N = 15.0 kg * a

⇒ a = 45 N / 15.0 kg = 3 m/s²

Now, in order to get the value of the tension T, we can choose as our system, to any mass, and apply Newton's 2nd Law again.

If we choose to the mass of 6.0 kg, in the horizontal direction, there are two forces acting on it, in opposite directions: the  horizontal applied force of 45 N, and the tension in the string that join both masses.

The difference of both forces, must be equal to the mass (of this block only) times the acceleration, as follows:

F- T = m₂* a ⇒ 45 N - T = 6.0 kg * 3 m/s²

⇒ T = 45 N -18 N = 27 N

We could have arrived to the same result taking the 9.0 Kg as our system, as the only force acting in the horizontal direction is just the tension in the string that we are trying to find out, as follows:

F = m₁*a = 9.0 kg* 3 m/s² = 27 N