Calculating force for constant speed: Blocks with friction and a pulley

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To calculate the force required to drag Block B to the left at constant speed, the total weight of both blocks is considered, which is 9.0 N. The coefficient of kinetic friction is 0.25, leading to a frictional force of 2.25 N when accounting for both blocks' weights. Since the system is in equilibrium at constant velocity, the applied force must equal the total frictional force opposing the motion. The analysis confirms that the force needed to maintain constant speed is 2.25 N. Understanding the interaction between the blocks and the friction forces is crucial for accurate calculations.
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Block A is on top of Block B. They are connected by a light, flexible cord passing through a fixed, frictionless pulley. Block A weighs 3.60 N and block B weighs 5.40 N. The coefficient of kinetic friction between all surfaces is 0.25. Find the magnitude of the force F necessary to drag Block B to the left at a constant speed.
Ok so the key here is constant speed. So that means F = 0. So all forces must be equal and opposite one another in the same direction. Since w_{total} = 9.0 N does that mean that the force required is f_{k} = \mu_{k}N = 0.25(9.0 N) = 2.5 N?
Thanks
 
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You have part of the answer.

Block A is on top of block B, and they are connected by a pulley. If B moves left, A moves right, and the friction force of A's motion resists B's motion.

Block B is on a surface, also with \mu = 0.25, but the downward force arises from the masses of A and B.

Now at constant velocity, there is not acceleration, so the net force F = 0, so F = Friction force of block A on B + Friction force of block B on the surface underneath.
 
so it would be 0.25(3.6 N) + 0.25(5.40 N) = 2.25 N. I forgot the fact that when you pull on block A, block B goes in the opposite direction.

Thanks
 
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