Question

can you change the story of this word problem and change the numbers: Two sleds are tied together with a rope. The coefficient of static friction between each sled and
the snow is 0.22. A small child is sitting on sled 1 (total mass of 27 kg) and a larger child sits on sled 2 (total
mass of 38 kg). An adult pulls on the sleds.
a) What is the greatest horizontal force that the adult can exert on sled 1 without moving either sled?
b) Calculate the magnitude of the tension in the rope between sleds 1 and 2 when the adult exerts this
greatest horizontal force.

Answer 1

Sure! Here's a modified version of the word problem with different numbers:

Two surfboards are tied together with a rope. The coefficient of static friction between each surfboard and the ocean water is 0.15. A small child is sitting on surfboard 1 (total mass of 20 kg) and a larger child sits on surfboard 2 (total mass of 30 kg). A lifeguard pulls on the surfboards.

a) What is the greatest horizontal force that the lifeguard can exert on surfboard 1 without moving either surfboard?
b) Calculate the magnitude of the tension in the rope between surfboards 1 and 2 when the lifeguard exerts this greatest horizontal force.