Answer
(a) $a=3.2\frac{m}{s^2}$
(b) $2.6N$
(c) decrease
Work Step by Step
(a) We can find the acceleration of the blocks as
For block1 $\Sigma F_x=-T+F=m_1a$.....eq(1)
For block2 $\Sigma F_x=T=m_2a$.....eq(2)
adding eq(1) and eq(2), we obtain:
$F=(m_1+m_2)a$
This can be rearranged as:
$a=\frac{F}{m_1+m_2}$
We plug in the known values to obtain:
$a=\frac{7.7}{1.6+0.83}$
$a=3.2\frac{m}{s^2}$
(b) The tension in the string can be determined as:
$T=m_2a$
We plug in the known values to obtain:
$T=(0.83)(3.17)$
$T=2.6N$
(c) When we increase the mass of block 1, the acceleration will decrease because the applied force remains constant. Thus, the tension in the string will decrease.
