Two blocks of masses,...

Question

Two blocks of masses 12 kg and 18 kg are placed in contact with each other on a frictionless horizontal surface. A constant horizontal force 77 N is applied to the block of mass 12 kg. Determine the magnitude of the acceleration of the two-block system.

Answer 1

The answer to this question depends on the direction of the force.

I have the impression that you are to assume that the force acts in the direction of pushing both blocks. In that case it is pushing an object of combined mass, and the resulting acceleration will be

77 / (12 + 18) m/s²