Question

The three blocks move along a frictionless surface. The 1kg and 2kg blocks are in contact. A 42 N force acts as shown.

What is the force acting on the 1kg block?
a. 14 N
b. 21 N
c. 28 N
d. 42 N

Answer 1

The force acting on the 1kg block is (a) 14N.

Step-by-step explanation:

The force acting on the 1kg block can be determined using the concept of Newton's second law. According to Newton's second law, the force acting on an object is equal to the mass of the object multiplied by its acceleration.

Let's consider the 2kg block and the 1kg block as a system. Since the blocks are in contact and move together, they will have the same acceleration.

The total mass of the system is 3kg (1kg + 2kg) and the force acting on the system is 42N. Now we can calculate the acceleration of the system using Newton's second law:

Force = mass x acceleration

42N = 3kg x acceleration

acceleration = 42N / 3kg

acceleration = 14 m/s²

Since the 1kg block is part of the system, the force acting on it will be equal to its mass multiplied by the acceleration:

Force on 1kg block = 1kg x 14 m/s²

Force on 1kg block = 14N

Therefore, the force acting on the 1kg block is 14N.