Calculating Force for Two Boxes Dragged on a Frictionless Surface

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Homework Help Overview

The problem involves calculating the force required to drag two boxes, each weighing 103 kg, along a frictionless surface with a constant acceleration of 1.19 m/s². The setup includes ropes that also have mass, specifically 1.03 kg each, which raises questions about their relevance in the calculations.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss whether the mass of the ropes should be considered in the calculations. There is uncertainty about how to approach the problem, particularly regarding the treatment of the ropes' mass in relation to the boxes.

Discussion Status

Some participants suggest combining the masses of the boxes and ropes for the force calculation, while others express uncertainty about the implications of including the ropes. The discussion is ongoing, with various interpretations being explored.

Contextual Notes

Participants note a lack of recent experience in physics, which may affect their confidence in tackling the problem. There is also a mention of the absence of friction in the scenario, which simplifies some aspects of the analysis.

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Homework Statement


Two 103 kg boxes are dragged along a fric-
tionless surface with a constant acceleration
of 1.19 m/s2, as shown in the figure.
Each rope has a mass of 1.03 kg.

m8e8ls.jpg


Homework Equations


F=ma

The Attempt at a Solution


I wasn't sure where to go with this problem. I am mostly just wondering if the weight of the rope matters at all. I don't think I have ever come across a problem where the rope had a weight. Also just to make sure I'm thinking this through the right way, if the weight of the rope doesn't matter I would just act as the masses as one and then from the force from there? I'm not sure if that is right, I haven't been in a Physics class in 2 or 3 years so I'm a little rusty. Any help would be great! Thanks
 
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PinguNinjitsu said:

Homework Statement


Two 103 kg boxes are dragged along a fric-
tionless surface with a constant acceleration
of 1.19 m/s2, as shown in the figure.
Each rope has a mass of 1.03 kg.

m8e8ls.jpg


Homework Equations


F=ma


The Attempt at a Solution


I wasn't sure where to go with this problem. I am mostly just wondering if the weight of the rope matters at all. I don't think I have ever come across a problem where the rope had a weight. Also just to make sure I'm thinking this through the right way, if the weight of the rope doesn't matter I would just act as the masses as one and then from the force from there? I'm not sure if that is right, I haven't been in a Physics class in 2 or 3 years so I'm a little rusty. Any help would be great! Thanks
Well, if you are accelerating the rope along with the boxes, yes, its mass will matter (not weight, mass because this is horizontal motion and gravity doesn't enter into it). Just add all masses, both boxes and ropes, together and multiply by the acceleration: F= ma.
 
Hello.

Try to think of the boxes as one. Combine the masses since there is no friction.
Think of it as one mass.
 
WOW! that reply came just as i wrote mine. haha
 
Thank you! Thats what I was thinking I was supposed to do, just wanted to make sure!
 

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