The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving two boxes, one pushing the other, with a focus on normal friction and acceleration in a frictionless scenario. The original poster presents a situation where a 60 kg box pushes a 30 kg box, and they seek to understand the normal force and acceleration of the system.
The conversation is ongoing, with some participants providing clarifications regarding the definitions of normal force and friction. There is an indication of confusion about the terms used in the problem, and participants are attempting to align their understanding of the concepts involved.
There is a mention of a separate scenario involving a body on a slope, which raises questions about motion and acceleration under varying conditions. This context may influence the understanding of forces in the original problem.
You (or the problem) are using the wrong terms. The problem states there is no friction (between the boxes and the floor), and it should be asking what is the normal force (the horizontal force that one box exerts on the other perpendicular to (normal to) their surfaces in contact with each other) between the two. The force you have calculated is the normal force of the floor on the 60 kg box. What you want is the normal force between the 2 boxes. Are you at all familiar with Free Body Diagrams?Lee Colombo said:Homework Statement
A 60 kg box which in turn pushes a 30 kg box move on wheels so friction is eliminated. The push is 30 N horizontally
Homework Equations
What is the acceration on the system of boxes and what is Normal friction of the 60 kg box on the 30 kg box?
The Attempt at a Solution
The normal friction is 9.8 x60 but I don't know if normal friction can only be hortizontal.