To determine the magnitude of the force exerted by each of the links A and B, we can use the principle of conservation of energy.
The force applied to the upper block creates a gravitational potential energy (mgh) which will be converted into kinetic energy (1/2mv^2) of the blocks when they start moving.
The initial potential energy of the system is:
Ui = m1gh1 + m2gh2 + m3gh3
The final kinetic energy of the system is:
Uf = (1/2)m1v1^2 + (1/2)m2v2^2
Since the net force on the system is zero and there is no external force acting on it,
Ui = Uf
Where:
m1= 5.0 kg (mass of upper block)
m2= 4.0 kg (mass of lower block)
m3= 0.6 kg (mass of rod)
g = 9.8 m/s^2 (acceleration due to gravity)
v1 = velocity of upper block
v2 = velocity of lower block
The force exerted by link A is the force exerted on the upper block by link A and the force exerted by link B is the force exerted on the lower block by link B.
F(A) = m1a = m1g = 5.0 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 = 49 N
F(B) = m2a = m2g = 4.0 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 = 39.2 N
So the force exerted by link A is 49 N, and the force exerted by link B is 39.2 N.