4.1.2.P20
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The problem of pushing a block sitting on a block as shown in the figure is much more interesting than it looks on the surface. A heavy block, labeled “A”, is sitting on a table. On top of that block is a lighter block, labeled “B” as shown in the figure. We assume there is friction between the blocks and between block A and the table.
If you push a little on block A it won't move. If you push harder, they both will start to move together. If you start it moving and want to keep it moving, you still have to push to keep it going.
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Analyzing how the forces balance, how friction adjusts and how it can affect an object's motion, give a clear and sometimes counterintuitive insight into how Newton's laws control the motion of interacting objects and the funny way that the friction force behaves. The following triple of problems walk you through a detailed analysis. Although the problem itself doesn't have too many obvious implications, the analysis and the resulting insights are both broad and powerful.
Joe Redish 8/20/15
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