Two blocks of masses 24 kg and 9 kg are connected together by a light string and rest on a frictionless level surface.Attached to the 9-kg mass is another light string,which a person uses to pull both blocks horizontally.If the two-block system accelerates at 0.6 m/s² what is the tension in the connecting string between the blocks? A) 19.8 N B) 9 N C) 14.4 N D) 5.4 N E) 40 N

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since the surface is frictionless, the tension in the string is the only force responsible for the acceleration of the system, and all parts of the string have the same tension. Let T be the tension in the string. Applying Newton's second law to each block, we have:
For the 9 kg block: T - 9g = 9a, where g is the acceleration due to gravity.
For the 24 kg block: T - 24g = 24a.
Since the two blocks are connected by the same string, the acceleration of both blocks must be the same, i.e., a = 0.6 m/s^2. Solving for T in either equation, we get:
T = 9(a + g) = 9(0.6 + 9.8) = 14.4 N.
Therefore, the correct answer is (C).

Two Blocks of Masses 24 Kg and 9 Kg Are