A 20 N force acts down a 37° incline on a system of 2 kg and 3 kg blocks in contact as shown. Take g=10 m s⁻². Find the contact force between the blocks in newtons.

Question

G1 Physics · Accepted Answer

Treat both blocks as 5 kg: 5g sin37°-20=5a gives a=2 m s⁻² down the plane. For the 3 kg block, 3g sin37°-N=3a, so 18-N=6 and N=12 N.