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Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
Exam
Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1]
Subject
Physics
Chapter
Friction

Concepts Of Physics MCQ Edition [Volume 1] · Physics · Friction

Determine the accelerations a_1 , a_2 , and a_3 of the three blocks...

Determine the accelerations a1a_1, a2a_2, and a3a_3 of the three blocks illustrated in the figure when a horizontal force of 10 N10 \text{ N} is applied to the 2 kg2 \text{ kg} block. Take g=10 m/s2g = 10 \text{ m/s}^2.
Determine the accelerations a_1 , a_2 , and a_3 of the three blocks illustrated in the figure when a horizontal force

Options

  1. Aa1=5 m/s2a_1 = 5 \text{ m/s}^2, a2=0 m/s2a_2 = 0 \text{ m/s}^2, a3=0 m/s2a_3 = 0 \text{ m/s}^2
  2. Ba1=56 m/s2a_1 = \dfrac{5}{6} \text{ m/s}^2, a2=56 m/s2a_2 = \dfrac{5}{6} \text{ m/s}^2, a3=56 m/s2a_3 = \dfrac{5}{6} \text{ m/s}^2
  3. Ca1=3 m/s2a_1 = 3 \text{ m/s}^2, a2=0.4 m/s2a_2 = 0.4 \text{ m/s}^2, a3=0.4 m/s2a_3 = 0.4 \text{ m/s}^2
  4. Da1=3 m/s2a_1 = 3 \text{ m/s}^2, a2=0.8 m/s2a_2 = 0.8 \text{ m/s}^2, a3=0.8 m/s2a_3 = 0.8 \text{ m/s}^2

Correct answer

C. a1=3 m/s2a_1 = 3 \text{ m/s}^2, a2=0.4 m/s2a_2 = 0.4 \text{ m/s}^2, a3=0.4 m/s2a_3 = 0.4 \text{ m/s}^2

Step-by-step solution

First, we find the maximum possible friction forces at each interface.

Between the 2 kg2 \text{ kg} and 3 kg3 \text{ kg} blocks:
f_{1,\text\max} = \mu_1 m_1 g = 0.2 \times 2 \times 10 = 4 \text{ N}

Between the 3 kg3 \text{ kg} and 7 kg7 \text{ kg} blocks:
f_{2,\text\max} = \mu_2 (m_1 + m_2) g = 0.3 \times (2 + 3) \times 10 = 15 \text{ N}

Between the 7 kg7 \text{ kg} block and the ground:
f_{3,\text\max} = \mu_3 (m_1 + m_2 + m_3) g = 0 \times 12 \times 10 = 0 \text{ N}

Let us assume all three blocks move together with a common acceleration aa.
a=Fm1+m2+m3=102+3+7=1012=56 m/s2a = \dfrac{F}{m_1 + m_2 + m_3} = \dfrac{10}{2 + 3 + 7} = \dfrac{10}{12} = \dfrac{5}{6} \text{ m/s}^2

The required friction force f1f_1 to keep the 2 kg2 \text{ kg} block moving with this acceleration is:
F−f1=m1a⇒10−f1=2×56⇒f1=10−53=253≈8.33 NF - f_1 = m_1 a \Rightarrow 10 - f_1 = 2 \times \dfrac{5}{6} \Rightarrow f_1 = 10 - \dfrac{5}{3} = \dfrac{25}{3} \approx 8.33 \text{ N}

Since f_1 > f_{1,\text\max} (8.33 N>4 N8.33 \text{ N} > 4 \text{ N}), the 2 kg2 \text{ kg} block will slip relative to the 3 kg3 \text{ kg} block. Thus, kinetic friction f1=4 Nf_1 = 4 \text{ N} acts between them.

The acceleration of the 2 kg2 \text{ kg} block is:
a1=F−f1m1=10−42=3 m/s2a_1 = \dfrac{F - f_1}{m_1} = \dfrac{10 - 4}{2} = 3 \text{ m/s}^2

Now, the friction force f1=4 Nf_1 = 4 \text{ N} acts in the forward direction on the 3 kg3 \text{ kg} block. We check if the 3 kg3 \text{ kg} and 7 kg7 \text{ kg} blocks move together.
The maximum friction available between them is f_{2,\text\max} = 15 \text{ N}. Since the driving force on the 3 kg3 \text{ kg} block is only 4 N4 \text{ N}, which is less than 15 N15 \text{ N}, they will not slip relative to each other and will move together.

The common acceleration of the 3 kg3 \text{ kg} and 7 kg7 \text{ kg} blocks is:
a2=a3=f1m2+m3=43+7=410=0.4 m/s2a_2 = a_3 = \dfrac{f_1}{m_2 + m_3} = \dfrac{4}{3 + 7} = \dfrac{4}{10} = 0.4 \text{ m/s}^2

(To verify, the friction force f2f_2 required between them is m3a3=7×0.4=2.8 Nm_3 a_3 = 7 \times 0.4 = 2.8 \text{ N}, which is well below the maximum limit of 15 N15 \text{ N}).

Therefore, a1=3 m/s2a_1 = 3 \text{ m/s}^2, a2=0.4 m/s2a_2 = 0.4 \text{ m/s}^2, and a3=0.4 m/s2a_3 = 0.4 \text{ m/s}^2.

Answer: a1=3 m/s2a_1 = 3 \text{ m/s}^2, a2=0.4 m/s2a_2 = 0.4 \text{ m/s}^2, a3=0.4 m/s2a_3 = 0.4 \text{ m/s}^2
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