Forces Acting On Two Blocks : mostly conceptual

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on the forces acting on two blocks, Block A and Block B, positioned on a frictionless incline. It is established that the net force on Block A is equal to that on Block B due to their relative motion and the absence of slipping. Participants are tasked with drawing free-body diagrams for each block, identifying forces such as gravity, normal force, and static friction. Additionally, the application of Newton's second law is emphasized, particularly regarding the acceleration of Block A in relation to the forces acting upon it.

PREREQUISITES
  • Understanding of Newton's Second Law of Motion
  • Familiarity with free-body diagrams
  • Knowledge of static friction and its role in motion
  • Concept of forces acting on inclined planes
NEXT STEPS
  • Study the principles of free-body diagrams in physics
  • Learn about static friction and its calculations in inclined scenarios
  • Explore Newton's laws of motion in-depth, particularly in multi-body systems
  • Investigate the dynamics of objects on frictionless surfaces
USEFUL FOR

Students studying physics, particularly those focusing on mechanics, as well as educators seeking to clarify concepts related to forces and motion on inclined planes.

Bostonuniden
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Homework Statement


Block A is on top of Block B, which is on a frictionless incline. The mass of Block A is less than that of Block B. The positive x-direction is defined to be up the ramp.

During the interval from t1 to t2 a hand exerts a constant force on block A in the positive x-direction. Both blocks move a distance d in positive x-direction and speed up. The blocks do not slip relative to each other, as show in the diagrams below

Image is attatched


consider an instant during the interval from t1 to t2

a) is the magnitude of net force on block A greater than, less than, or equal to the magnitude of the net force on block B

b) Draw 2 separate free-body diagrams, one for each block. Label each force with 1)type of force 2) the object on which the force is exerted 3) the object exerting the force

c) Rank the magnitudes of all the forces in your free-body diagrams that are parallel to the ramp( so only the ones that point entirely to the positive or negative x-direction

Last one I promise

d) Write Newton's second law for block A only. Include all the info about the magnitude and the direction of the forces exerted on block A, as well as the direction of the acceleration of Block A.

Homework Equations


Since these are mostly concept questions I am going to guess there aren't any. Correct me if I'm wrong.


The Attempt at a Solution



a) The magnitude of the net force on block A is EQUAL TO the magnitude of the net force on block B. I put this answer because the question states that the blocks don't slip relative to each other and from t1 to t2 their net forces are going pointing in the same direction.

b) I'm just going to list the forces instead of drawing it and uploading it. Block A: Gravity, Normal Force, Force of the push, Static Friction between blocks A and B. Block B Gravity, Normal Force, Force of push?, friction between the floor and block b

c)block A: static friction between block A and B, force of push
block B: force of push, friction between the floor and block b

d) I don't know how to answer this question but i do know that Newton's second law describes the behavior of objects when all existing forces are not balanced. I'm not sure what the question is asking me to do.



THANKS! ahead of time

 

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Bostonuniden said:
a) The magnitude of the net force on block A is EQUAL TO the magnitude of the net force on block B. I put this answer because the question states that the blocks don't slip relative to each other and from t1 to t2 their net forces are going pointing in the same direction.
Since they move together, their acceleration must be the same. But what about their mass?

b) I'm just going to list the forces instead of drawing it and uploading it. Block A: Gravity, Normal Force, Force of the push, Static Friction between blocks A and B.
OK.
Block B Gravity, Normal Force, Force of push?, friction between the floor and block b
(1) The push is on block A, not block B; (2) How many normal forces act?; (3) Where's the friction? (The incline is frictionless.)

c)block A: static friction between block A and B, force of push
block B: force of push, friction between the floor and block b
Redo this in light of the above comments. And rank order them.

d) I don't know how to answer this question but i do know that Newton's second law describes the behavior of objects when all existing forces are not balanced. I'm not sure what the question is asking me to do.
Just take a shot.
 
The book claims the answer is that all the magnitudes are the same because "the gravitational force on the penguin is the same". I'm having trouble understanding this. I thought the buoyant force was equal to the weight of the fluid displaced. Weight depends on mass which depends on density. Therefore, due to the differing densities the buoyant force will be different in each case? Is this incorrect?

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