Two blocks of masses 8 kg and 2 kg respectively lie on a smooth horizontal surface in contact with one another . They are pushed by a horizontally applied force of 15 N . Calculate the force exerted on the 2kg mass .

Explanation

Given
Mass of block 1 , `m_1=8 kg `
Mass of block 2 , `m_2=2kg `
Total mass , m =`m_1+m_2 `
m=8+2
m=10 kg
Force , `F_1=15 N`
To find : Force exerted on 2 kg , `F_2=?`
Solution
Force , `F_1="mass " xx " acceleration " `
`F_1=ma `
`F_1=10 xx a `
`a=(F_1)/(10)=(15)/(10)=1.5 ms^(-2)`
Force exerted on `m_2(2 kg )` is ,
`F_2= m_2a=2 xx 1.5`
`F_2=3N`