For question 2. When finding the acceleration of block m1 relative to the horizontal surface (m2), I got a1 =(F-mum1g)/m1 which is given in the answer key. For part C, why do we have to subtract the accelerations to find the acceleration relative to block m2? Isn't that what we found in part B? Thank you!
Katherine, that would be the acceleration relative to the ground. Since the bottom block is also moving to the right, the relative acceleration between the two blocks requires the subtraction. The bottom block is "running away" from the top block, so it takes longer for the top block to slide off the end. John
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