Essential University Physics: Volume 1 (3rd Edition)

Published by Pearson
ISBN 10: 0321993721
ISBN 13: 978-0-32199-372-4

Chapter 4 - Section 4.6 - Newton’s Third Law - Example - Page 62: 4.4

Answer

$F_{21} = -F_{12} = \frac{m_1}{m_1+m_2}F$

Work Step by Step

We start with the equation for acceleration, and then we simplify: $a = \frac{F}{m} \\ a = \frac{F}{m_1+m_2} $ We know that $F_{12} = m_2a$, so it follows: $F_{12} = \frac{m_2}{m_1+m_2}F$ Thus: $F_{21} = -F_{12} = \frac{m_1}{m_1+m_2}F$
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