How to Calculate Horizontal Force Applied on Cart 2 by Cart 1

Question:

When a worker accelerates two linked carts with different masses, how can we determine the horizontal force applied on Cart 2 by Cart 1?

Answer:

To calculate the horizontal force applied on Cart 2 by Cart 1 in a scenario where a worker accelerates both carts horizontally, we can utilize Newton's Second Law of Motion. The formula for this law is F = ma, where F represents force, m represents mass, and a represents acceleration.

In the specific situation where Cart 2 has a mass of 40 kg and Cart 1 has a mass of 64 kg, and the worker provides a horizontal acceleration of 0.9 m/s² to both carts, we can determine the force exerted on Cart 2 by Cart 1.

By substituting the given values into the formula F = ma, we can calculate the force:

For Cart 2:
Mass (m) = 40 kg
Acceleration (a) = 0.9 m/s²

Using F = ma:
F = 40 kg * 0.9 m/s²
F = 36 N

Therefore, the horizontal force applied on Cart 2 by Cart 1 is 36 Newtons. This calculation demonstrates how Newton's Second Law of Motion can be applied to determine the force in a scenario involving linked carts and acceleration.