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Higher Physics 2008 Q3
Higher Physics 2008 Q3
F = ma
12 = 6a you are calculating the acceleration of the whole system i.e. (2 + 4)kg
a = 2 m s-2
Next figure out the unbalanced force that is pulling the 2 kg box forwards, this is the tension between
the two boxes:
F = ma
F = 2 x 2 = 4N final answer - B
Note: If you calculate the unbalanced force acting on the 4 kg only then it will be 4 x 2 = 8 N. In other words, the total unbalanced
force adds up to the original 12 N given in the question. So in any situation like this, whether it involves two objects or more,
calculate the combined acceleration of all the objects first; they are joined together so they will move together with the same
acceleration. This value can then be used to calculate the individual tension between each of the joined objects – the sum of which
will be the total unbalanced force pulling on the objects.