Three boxes are pushed across a frictionless horizontal surface as shown.When we compare the normal force N_2,5 that mass 2m exerts on mass 5m with the normal force N_5,10 that mass 5m exerts on mass 10m,we find that A)N_2,5 = N_5,10 = F. B)N_2,5 = F N_5,10. C)F N_2,5 = N_5,10. D)F N_2,5 N_5,10. E)F N_5,10 N_2,5.

Question

Three boxes are pushed across a frictionless horizontal surface as shown.When we compare the normal force N_2,5 that mass 2m exerts on mass 5m with the normal force N_5,10 that mass 5m exerts on mass 10m,we find that A)N_2,5 = N_5,10 = F. B)N_2,5 = F > N_5,10. C)F > N_2,5 = N_5,10. D)F > N_2,5 > N_5,10. E)F > N_5,10 > N_2,5.

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

According to Newton's Third Law, the force that mass 2m exerts on mass 5m is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force that mass 5m exerts on mass 2m. Therefore, the normal force N_2,5 that mass 2m exerts on mass 5m is equal to the normal force N_5,10 that mass 5m exerts on mass 10m. However, since mass 5m is being pushed with a greater force (F) than mass 2m, the normal force N_5,10 that mass 5m exerts on mass 10m will be greater than the normal force N_2,5 that mass 2m exerts on mass 5m. Therefore, F > N_2,5 > N_5,10.

Three Boxes Are Pushed Across a Frictionless Horizontal Surface as Shown.When