Tension/ Force problem; How should I look at this?

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around a physics problem involving three identical blocks connected by strings on a frictionless surface, focusing on the concepts of tension and force. Participants are exploring the relationships between force, mass, and acceleration in the context of Newton's laws.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Mathematical reasoning

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants discuss the calculation of the force F and the tension between the blocks, with some questioning the assumptions made in their calculations. There are attempts to derive equations based on the given values of mass and tension.

Discussion Status

The discussion includes various calculations and interpretations of the problem. Some participants have provided numerical values for acceleration and force, while others have questioned the correctness of these values and the assumptions behind them. There is no explicit consensus, but guidance has been offered in the form of alternative calculations.

Contextual Notes

Participants are working under the constraints of the problem's parameters, including the mass of the blocks and the given tension. There is an acknowledgment of potential unwarranted assumptions in the calculations.

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1. Three identical blocks connected by ideal strings are being pulled along a horizontal frictionless surface by a horizontal force F. The magnitude of the tension in the string between blocks B and C is T= 3.00N. Assume that each block has mass m= 0.400kg .

[a]--------[c]---->F

What is the magnitude F of the force?

What is the tension between block a and b?

2. F=ma;



3. The magnitude of the force should equal m*a, so (.4*3)*(3/.8) should provide the magnitude. And from that (.4)*(3/.8) should give me the answer to the second question. I feel that I am making some unwarranted assumptions. Please help
 
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T=2*m*a => 3.00=2m*a => a is known

F=3*m*a =>...
 
Ok so a= 3.75 m/s^2; From this: F= 1.2*3.75; F=4.5N; T=.8*3.75; T=3N ?
 
No, btween a and b m=.4; so T= 1.5N

Thanks, I understand now! :-)
 
OK! Good luck!
 

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