Blocks of mass 4, 8, and 12 kg are lined up from left to right in that order on

Question

Blocks of mass 4, 8, and 12 kg are lined up from left to right in that order on a frictionless surface so each block is touching the next one. A rightward-pointing force of magnitude 16 N is applied to the left-most block. What is the magnitude of the force that the middle block exerts on the rightmost one?

What is the magnitude of the force that the leftmost block exerts on the middle one?

Suppose now that the left-right order of the blocks is reversed. Now find the magnitude of the force that the leftmost block exerts on the middle one?

Explanation / Answer

On the entire system the force is 18 N, considering all three objects to form a single system, which leads to the conlusion that all the internal forces should balance each other. In the absence of friction all the forces are basically internal reactions of one block on the other. Use the following diagram and use balance of forces... and use the systems acceleration as a whole to see what the individual reactions would be.... and ofcourse use the system acceleration on each object individually... First Object : ---->O O O

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