Multiple-Object Systems with Friction: Two Boxes Are Connected by a Weightless

Essay

Multiple-object systems with friction: Two boxes are connected by a weightless cord running over a very light frictionless pulley as shown in the figure. Box A, of mass 8.0 kg, is initially at rest on the top of the table. The coefficient of kinetic friction between box A and the table is 0.10. Box B has a mass of 15.0 kg, and the system begins to move just after it is released. (a) Draw the free-body diagrams for each of the boxes, identifying all of the forces acting on each one.
(b) Calculate the acceleration of each box.
(c) What is the tension in the cord?