Solving Friction Problems: Boy vs Girl Tug-of-War

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To solve the tug-of-war problem, apply Newton's second law, which states that force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma). The girl, with a mass of 45 kg and an acceleration of 3.0 m/s², exerts a force of 135 N toward the boy. According to Newton's third law, the boy experiences an equal and opposite force, meaning he also exerts 135 N on the girl. Given the boy's mass of 65 kg, his acceleration can be calculated using the same force equation, resulting in an acceleration of approximately 2.08 m/s² toward the girl. The absence of friction simplifies the problem, allowing for straightforward force balancing.
SkiingAlta
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Hi,
I am a bit confused with all this friction stuff... How would I begin to solve this problem and by using what formulas? Thanks.

Suppose a 65-kg boy and a 45-kg girl use a massless rope in a tug-of-war on an icy, resistance-free surface. If the accelleration of the girl toward the boy is 3.0 m/s2, find the magnitude of the acceleration of the boy toward the girl.
 
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This is happening on a resistance free surface. There is no friction.

Also, you at least need to attempt the problem on your own. Your hint though is to think about force balancing, and that you only need one formula.
 
In this problem there is no friction. You can solve this problem by using Newton's third law.
From the given data, find the force acting on the girl by boy. The girl must react with same force on boy.
 

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