Question

Two block with the same mass are conected by a string and are pulled across a frictionless surface by a constant force, F , exerted by a string (see diagram). Which of the following statements is correct about what will happen to the boxes?

a. they will both move with constant velocity.
b. the rightmost box will move with constant velocity while the leftmost box accelerates.
c. the leftmost will move with constant velocity while the rightmost box accelerates
d. both boxes will accelerate

Answer 1

The leftmost box will move with constant velocity while the rightmost box accelerates.

Step-by-step explanation:

The correct statement about what will happen to the boxes is c. the leftmost will move with constant velocity while the rightmost box accelerates. The leftmost box will move with constant velocity while the rightmost box accelerates.

When a constant force is exerted on the leftmost box, it will experience an equal and opposite force from the rightmost box due to the string connecting them.

Therefore, the leftmost box will move with constant velocity. However, the rightmost box will accelerate because the net force acting on it is not zero.