Question

A horizontal force of 500 N pulls two masses 20 kg and 10 kg (lying on a frictionless table) connected by a light string. What is the tension in the string?

• A. 200 N
  
• B. 300 N
  
• C. 400 N
  
• D. $\frac{500}{3}N$
  

Answer 1

The correct option is D $\frac{500}{3}N$

If $a$ be the acceleration of the system, $(10+20)a=500$ or $a=\frac{50}{3}m/s^2$

Tension in the string, $T=10a=10\times \frac{50}{3}=\frac{500}{3}N$