Halliday, Resnick & Walker — Force and Motion–II: Problem 8

In Fig. 6.4, a horizontal force of 100 N is to be applied to a 10 kg slab that is initially stationary on a frictionless floor, to accelerate the slab. A 10 kg block lies on top of the slab; the coefficient of friction \(\mu\) between the block and the slab is not known, and the block might slip. In fact, the contact between the block and the slab might even be frictionless. (a) Considering that possibility, what is the possible range of values for the magnitude of the slab’s acceleration \(a_{slab}\)? (Hint: You don’t need written calculations; just consider extreme values for \(\mu\).) (b) What is the possible range for the magnitude \(a_{block}\) of the block’s acceleration?