If a force of 10 N produces an acceleration of [tex]$2 \, \text{ms}^{-2}$[/tex] in a body of mass [tex]m_1[/tex] and [tex]5 \, \text{ms}^{-2}$[/tex] in a body of mass [tex]m_2[/tex], what will be the acceleration produced by the same force when both bodies are tied together?

Ans. [tex]$1.43 \, \text{ms}^{-2}$[/tex]



Answer :

Certainly! Let's solve this problem step by step.

1. Identify the given data:
- Force, [tex]\( F = 10 \, \text{N} \)[/tex]
- Acceleration of body [tex]\( m_1 \)[/tex], [tex]\( a_1 = 2 \, \text{m/s}^2 \)[/tex]
- Acceleration of body [tex]\( m_2 \)[/tex], [tex]\( a_2 = 5 \, \text{m/s}^2 \)[/tex]

2. Determine the masses [tex]\( m_1 \)[/tex] and [tex]\( m_2 \)[/tex]:
Using the formula [tex]\( F = m \cdot a \)[/tex]
- For body [tex]\( m_1 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ F = m_1 \cdot a_1 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ m_1 = \frac{F}{a_1} = \frac{10 \, \text{N}}{2 \, \text{m/s}^2} = 5 \, \text{kg} \][/tex]

- For body [tex]\( m_2 \)[/tex]:
[tex]\[ F = m_2 \cdot a_2 \][/tex]
[tex]\[ m_2 = \frac{F}{a_2} = \frac{10 \, \text{N}}{5 \, \text{m/s}^2} = 2 \, \text{kg} \][/tex]

3. Calculate the total mass when both bodies are tied together:
[tex]\[ \text{Total mass} = m_1 + m_2 = 5 \, \text{kg} + 2 \, \text{kg} = 7 \, \text{kg} \][/tex]

4. Determine the acceleration for the combined mass using the same force:
Using the formula [tex]\( F = m \cdot a \)[/tex] again, for the total mass:
[tex]\[ F = \text{Total mass} \cdot \text{Total acceleration} \][/tex]
[tex]\[ 10 \, \text{N} = 7 \, \text{kg} \cdot a \][/tex]
[tex]\[ a = \frac{10 \, \text{N}}{7 \, \text{kg}} \approx 1.4286 \, \text{m/s}^2 \][/tex]

Therefore, the acceleration produced by the same force when both bodies are tied together is approximately [tex]\( 1.43 \, \text{m/s}^2 \)[/tex].