Halliday, Resnick & Walker — Force and Motion-I: Problem 55

55 Two blocks are in contact on a frictionless table. A horizontal force \(\vec{F}\) is applied to the larger block, as shown in Fig. 5-40. (a) If \(m_1 = 2.3 \text{ kg}\), \(m_2 = 1.2 \text{ kg}\), and \(F = 3.2 \text{ N}\), find the magnitude of the force between the two blocks. (b) Show that if a force of the same magnitude \(F\) is applied to the smaller block but in the opposite direction, the magnitude of the force between the blocks is \(2.1 \text{ N}\), which is not the same value calculated in (a). (c) Explain the difference.