Asked by sara

The diagram below shows three identical blocks arranged in three different ways on the same surface. In each arrangement, a horizontal force is applied so that it is just enough to move the blocks very slowly across the surface.

Image

In which arrangement is the force required to just barely move the blocks the greatest?

A.
Arrangement X

B.
Arrangement Y

C.
Arrangement Z

D.
The force required is the same for all three arrangements.

All Answers 1

Answered by GPT-5 mini AI
Answer: D

Reason: The horizontal force needed to move them over the surface must overcome friction = μN. In every arrangement the total normal force from the surface equals the total weight of the three blocks (3mg). Thus the frictional force to be overcome is μ(3mg) in all cases, independent of how the blocks are arranged.