# Newton's Third Law problem

1. Jan 3, 2008

### Precursor

[SOLVED] Newton's Third Law problem

1. The problem statement, all variables and given/known data
Three boxes, A, B, and C, are positioned next to each other on a horizontal, frictionless surface. An applied force acting on box A causes all the boxes to accelerate at $$1.5m/s^{2}$$
. Calculate the force that box B exerts on box A.

2. Relevant equations
$$F_{A on B}$$= $$-F_{B on A}$$
F=ma

3. The attempt at a solution
What seems to be the issue is how my teacher solved this problem. I have only realized this problem, so I can't have asked her personally. What she did is isolate box B and find the $$F_{net}$$ acting on it. This is the calculation she did:

$$F_{net}$$= $$F_{A on B}$$-$$F_{C on B}$$
$$F_{net}$$= $$m_{B}a$$ -(-7.5 N)
$$F_{net}$$= (10 Kg)($$1.5m/s^{2}$$) + 7.5 N
$$F_{net}$$= 23 N

However, what confused me is the two negative signs she put infront of the 7.5 N. I think only one would suffice to take into consideration that $$F_{C on B}$$ is a negative value, being that its direction is left.

I solved this problem taking a different approach. I found $$F_{net}$$ of box B and C, and added them together. Here are my calculations:

$$F_{net}$$= $$m_{B}a$$ + $$m_{C}a$$
$$F_{net}$$= (10 Kg)($$1.5m/s^{2}$$) + (5.0 Kg)($$1.5m/s^{2}$$)
$$F_{net}$$= 23 N

Could someone please confirm whether my method of solving the problem is correct or not?​

2. Jan 5, 2008

### Precursor

Anyone?

Is their something wrong or confusing with my post that nobody has replied yet?

3. Jan 8, 2008

...