index

TFrc51

One block of 5.0 kg mass is in contact with another block of 3.5 kg mass with the two being pushed along in the direction of large block to smaller block with a force of 50 N on the larger block.
What is the force between the blocks?

Sketch the situation.

The applied force accelerates both blocks so write

with the acceleration of the blocks

The force, P, between the blocks is the force to make the 3.5 kg block accelerate at this rate.