Question

Three identical 6.0-kg cubes are placed on a horizontal frictionless surface in contact with one another. The cubes are lined up from left to right and a force is applied to the left side of the left cube causing all three cubes to accelerate to the right at 2.0 m/s2. What is the magnitude of the force exerted on the middle cube by the left cube in this case

Answer 1

24 Newtons

Step-by-step explanation:

The force exerted in the middle cube needs to be enough to move the middle cube and the right cube with an acceleration of 2 m/s2.

The mass of those two cubes combined is 6 + 6 = 12 kg

So, using the following equation, we can find the force:

Force = mass * acceleration

Force = 12 * 2

Force = 24 Newtons