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Boy this has been a bad week for me! LOL! The problem below is
correct except that the force is acting on Block 2 and NOT on Block 1.
I wanted to know why the the net force equation seem to imply that
there was a value of friction between the blocks that kept Block 2
from accelerating.<br>
<br>
I hope i stated the problem correctly that time.<br>
<br>
<br>
Gene Gordon wrote:
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type="cite">
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Block 1 is at rest atop Block 2. Block 2 rests atop a frictionless
surface. A force is applied to Block 1 pulling it to the right. The
coefficient of friction between blocks 1&2 is some non-zero value less
than 1. What is the Net force equation for Block 2?
We drew the free body diagrams for both blocks and came up with the
following equation for Block 2.
(mu)m1g - F(pull) = m2a2
Now all of us agreed on this, but we also saw a problem. This means
that there is some value for the force of the pull that Block 2 will not
move. However it is on a frictionless surface and IF they were
connected the Frictional component would disappear - thus the object
would accelerate. What is wrong with our reasoning? Did we make a bad
assumption somewhere?
I love these problems but it is driving me bonkers since I know that I
am forgetting something fundamental --- Block 2 should accelerate for
ANY force pulling on it if it is on a frictionless surface.