The diagram below shows a compressed spring between two trolleys initially at rest on a horizontal, frictionless surface - NSC Physical Sciences - Question 1 - 2016 - Paper 1
Question 1
The diagram below shows a compressed spring between two trolleys initially at rest on a horizontal, frictionless surface. Trolley A has a mass of 2 kg and trolley B ... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:The diagram below shows a compressed spring between two trolleys initially at rest on a horizontal, frictionless surface - NSC Physical Sciences - Question 1 - 2016 - Paper 1
Step 1
Compared to the magnitude of the force the spring exerts on trolley A, the magnitude of the force the spring exerts on trolley B is ...
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Answer
According to Newton's third law, the forces exerted by the spring on trolleys A and B will be equal in magnitude but opposite in direction. Therefore, the magnitude of the force the spring exerts on trolley B is half as great as that exerted on trolley A due to the difference in their masses. Hence, the answer is B: half as great.