Three identical 6.0-kg cubes are placed on a horizontal frictionless surface in contact with one another. the cubes are lined up from left to right and a force is applied to the left side of the left cube causing all three cubes to accelerate to the right at 2.0 m/s2 . what is the magnitude of the force exerted on the middle cube by the left cube in this case?

24 N

Explanation:

= mass of the cube =

Consider the three cubes together as one.

= mass of the three cubes together =

= acceleration of the combination = 2 ms⁻²

= Force applied on the combination

Using Newton's second law

= Force by the left cube on the middle cube

Consider the forces acting on left cube, from the force diagram, we have

acceleration = (change in speed) / (time for the change)

change in speed = (20-120)= -100 m/s.

1.5 min = 90 sec

acceleration = -100/90 = -1.11 m/s^2.

we don't care about the 150kg or the 2,500 meters. they don't make any difference.

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