Two crates, one with mass m1=6 kg and the other with mass m2=10 kg, sit on the frictionless surface of a frozen pond, connected by a light rope (as shown in Figure). A woman wearing golf shoes (for traction) pulls horizontally on the 10 kg crate with a force F that gives the crate an acceleration of 1.5 m/s2.

Question

Two crates, one with mass m1=6 kg and the other with mass m2=10 kg, sit on the frictionless surface of a frozen pond, connected by a light rope (as shown in Figure). A woman wearing golf shoes (for traction) pulls horizontally on the 10 kg crate with a force F that gives the crate an acceleration of 1.5 m/s2. 
(a) What is the acceleration( in m/s2) of the 6 kg crate? 
(b) Find the tension T (in N) in the rope that connects the two crates. 
(c) Calculate the magnitude of the force F (in N).

R_scott · Accepted Answer

(a) same as 10 kg crate (b) T = 6 kg * 1.5 m/s^2 = ? N (c) F = (10 kg + 6 kg) * 1.5 m/s^2