Two boxes, one with a mass of 60 kg and the other with a mass of 90 kg are in contact and on a smooth surface.

Question

A 800 N force is exerted on the 60 kg box toward the 90 kg box. Calculate:
a) The accleration of the boxes.
b) The magnitude of the action / reaction forces between the boxes.

I belive the Net Force formula must be used for this question.

Answer 1

This is F=m*a

The total mass of the system is 150 kg, so
800=150*a
a=16/3 m/s^2

The force between the boxes is the reaction force of the acceleration of the 90 kg box:
F=90*a
=90*16/3
=480 N

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