I'm also kind of lost on how to draw the free body diagram of the first block
the force F points to the right right? what points to the left
<-----| m1 |------> F
what points to the left I know the rest for m1 i think If i drew force F corectly on block m1
and how does the force F apply to the second block and the third?
Three blocks on a frictionless horizontal surface are in contact with each other
A force F is applied to block 1 (m1)
Draw a free body diagram for each block
ok for the diagram is the force F applied horizontal to mass one does this force act on m2
all the blocks are lines up m1 touches m2 touches m3
the force is applied to m1
how does the force m1 apply to m2 ???
2 answers
Assuming that the three blocks of masses m1, m2 and m3 are in contact with each other, and the force applied is in the direction of the blocks, i.e. the blocks will remain in compression the moment after the application of the force.
Total mass = m1+m2+m3 = M
Force applied = F
Acceleration of each block immediately after F was applied
a = F/M = F/(m1+m2+m3)
By isolating each block, noting that actions and reactions are equal between two blocks, also net force on each block is Fi = mi.a
All forces should be isolated and expressed in terms of F, m1, m2, m3.
Total mass = m1+m2+m3 = M
Force applied = F
Acceleration of each block immediately after F was applied
a = F/M = F/(m1+m2+m3)
By isolating each block, noting that actions and reactions are equal between two blocks, also net force on each block is Fi = mi.a
All forces should be isolated and expressed in terms of F, m1, m2, m3.