Question

A force of 5N produces an acceleration of 8m/s^2 on a mass m and an accleration of 24m/s^2on mass m^2. What accleration would the same force provide if both the masses are tied together?

Answer 1

From Newton's 2nd law

F = m₁ a

5 = 8m₁

m₁ = 5/8 kg

F = m₂ a

m₂ = 5/24 kg

If both are tied together

Total mass m = m₁+m₂

m = 5/8 + 5/24 = 5/6 kg

Same force acts on the total mass

5 = 5/6 a

a = 6 m/s²