Two blocks a and b with ma = 2.2 kg and mb = 0.84 kg are connected by a string of negligible mass. they rest on a frictionless horizontal surface. you pull on block a with a horizontal force of 5.7 n. (a) find the magnitude of the acceleration (in m/s2) of the blocks. m/s2 (b) determine the tension (in n) in the string connecting the two blocks. n (c) how will the tension in the string be affected if ma is decreased? increase decrease remain the same

(a) a = 1.875 m/s²

(b)T = 1.575 N

(c)T increase

Explanation:

Newton's second law:

∑F = m*a Formula (1)

∑F : algebraic sum of the forces in Newton (N)

m : mass s (kg)

a : acceleration  (m/s²)

We define the x-axis in the direction parallel to the movement of the blocks on the horizontal surface and the y-axis in the direction perpendicular to it.

Forces acting on the block  A

WA: Weight of of the A block : In vertical direction  downaward (-y)

NA : Normal force of the A block :In vertical direction  upaward (+y)

F= 5.7 N  In in the direction parallel to the movement of the blocks (+x)

T :  tension of the string: In in the direction (-x)

Forces acting on the block  B

WB: Weight of the B block: In vertical direction  downaward (-y)

NB : Normal force of the B block :In vertical direction  upaward (+y)

T :  tension of the string: In in the direction (+x)

Data

mA = 2.2 kg

mB = 0.84 kg

(a) Magnitude of the acceleration  of the blocks

Newton's second law to B block:

∑Fx = m*a

T = (0.84)*a Equation (1)

Newton's second law to A block:

∑Fx = m*a

5.7 - T = (2.2)*a  We replace T of the Equation (1)

5.7 - (0.84)*a = (2.2)*a  

5.7 = (2.2)*a + (0.84)*a  Equation (2)

5.7 =(3.04)*a

a =5.7 / (3.04)

a = 1.875 m/s²

(b)Tension (in N) in the string connecting the two blocks

We replace data in the  Equation (1)

T = (0.84)*a

T = (0.84)*(1.875)

T = 1.575 N

(c) How will the tension in the string be affected if mA is decreased?

We observed Equation (2)

5.7 = (2.2)*a + (0.84)*a

5.7 = (mA)*a + (0.84)*a

5.7 =a*( mA+ 0.84)

if mA decrease , then, the acceleration increase and T  increase