Static friction between two stacked blocks a 3rd law pair?

[jmoney]

I'm trying to get my head around this scenario:

The blocks are at rest, despite the tension forces acting on them.
It is obvious that the static friction acting on A from B is 20N to the right for A to remain at rest (the max might be a lot higher).

But does this produce an equal and opposite reaction on B? It seems to me that the static friction should have some reaction... but it also seems silly to think that A could exert a leftward force on B when A isn't even moving.

Are the forces acting on B (before possible floor friction)
20N <--- B --> 5N or just B--->5N

Thank you, and I hope I have been clear enough! This is my first post on this forum.

 

[Simon Bridge]

it also seems silly to think that A could exert a leftward force on B when A isn't even moving.

Why "silly"?

You are told that the blocks are stationary?
Than means the net force on A is zero ... so what are the forces on A?

Note: if the forces are not strong enough to overcome static friction - doesn't that mean the two blocks are stuck together?

 

[jmoney]

Okay, "silly" was a poor choice. I think that the static force from B to A that holds A in place applies an opposite force on B.

Assuming that is the case, and they're stationary:

A is stationary because the vertical net force is Fn-Fg=0, and horizontally because of Fsf-Ft=0.
B is also stationary, the vertical forces are Fn(floor)-Fn(A)-Fg=0,
horizontally: Ft-Fsf(reaction from A)=-15, but it must be 0.
So there is either 15N of static friction from the floor, or, there could be another static force that is keeping B from moving left; and the floor could be frictionless in that case.

Would the reaction force from the static friction acting on A still be considered static friction for B? Can B have static friction acting in both directions?

 

[Doc Al]

Would the reaction force from the static friction acting on A still be considered static friction for B?

Sure. Think of the friction force as an interaction between two objects: A and B exert a static friction force on each other.

Can B have static friction acting in both directions?

Why not? The two friction forces acting on B would act on different surfaces.

 

[Simon Bridge]

Additional notes:
1. friction of A on B and friction of B on A are not action/reaction pairs.
2. how does the situation change if the blocks were nailed together?
3. if the blocks were not stationary - but both moving with the same constant velocity wrt the floor - how would that change your analysis?

 

[Doc Al]

Additional notes:
1. friction of A on B and friction of B on A are not action/reaction pairs.

Why do you say that?

 

[Simon Bridge]

Could be a source of the puzzlement ... 3rd-law pairs don't cancel out.

 

[Doc Al]

Could be a source of the puzzlement ... 3rd-law pairs don't cancel out.

True. But why did you say:

Additional notes:
1. friction of A on B and friction of B on A are not action/reaction pairs.

 

[Simon Bridge]

I was hoping to get something like your response - with details, from OP.
On reflection... it may have been more effective to direct that the AB force does not cancel the BA force.