Find the maximum tension in the rope problem

[JoshMP]

Homework Statement

A horizontal rope pulls a 10kg wood sled across frictionless snow. A 5.0kg wood box rides on the sled. The coefficient of static friction for wood on wood is \mu_s=0.5.

What is the largest tension force for which the box doesn't slip?

Homework Equations

n=Fg=mg

The Attempt at a Solution

So far I've got a picture and a free body diagram, with 3 total forces: Gravity defining down, normal force pointing up, and static friction pointed opposite the direction of motion.

I tried setting T equal to static friction but I got the wrong answer.

Can someone talk me through the problem so I know what I'm missing? Thanks.

 

[rl.bhat]

Show your calculations and answer. Then only we are in a position to tell where you went wrong.

 

[PhanthomJay]

Homework Statement

A horizontal rope pulls a 10kg wood sled across frictionless snow. A 5.0kg wood box rides on the sled. The coefficient of static friction for wood on wood is \mu_s=0.5.

What is the largest tension force for which the box doesn't slip?

Homework Equations

n=Fg=mg

The Attempt at a Solution

So far I've got a picture and a free body diagram, with 3 total forces: Gravity defining down, normal force pointing up, and static friction pointed opposite the direction of motion.

Is this is a free body diagram of the forces acting on the sled, or on the box, or on the sled - box system? You'll need 2 free body diagrams to solve for T. Hint: The box and sled are both accelerating at the same rate.