Published by:
CGP EDU Academic Team
Published on: September 12, 2026
In the given diagram find the direction of friction forces on each block and on the ground (Assume all surfaces are rough and all velocities are with respect to ground).

Text Solution
Verified by ExpertsThe correct answer is:
C
Step 1: Analyze the motion of each block.
Each block is moving to the right with a certain speed, while the ground block (A) is moving to the left with a speed of 5 m/s. The direction of motion of the blocks with respect to each other dictates the direction of the friction forces.
Step 2: Determine the direction of friction forces on each block:
- **Block E:** Moving right at 2 m/s relative to the ground. The friction on E will act to the left (opposing the relative motion).
- **Block D:** Moving right at 1 m/s relative to the ground. The friction on D will also act to the left (opposing the relative motion).
- **Block C:** Moving right at 3 m/s relative to the ground. The friction on C acts to the left (due to higher speed of Block A).
- **Block B:** Moving right at 5 m/s relative to the ground and the friction will act to the left (opposing the relative motion).
- **Block A:** Moving left at 5 m/s. The ground (A) experiences friction from all the blocks above it, hence the friction force acts to the right on A.
Step 3: Summary of friction directions:
- Friction on E: Left
- Friction on D: Left
- Friction on C: Left
- Friction on B: Left
- Friction on A (ground): Right
Therefore, the correct answer is the direction indicated in option C.
Each block is moving to the right with a certain speed, while the ground block (A) is moving to the left with a speed of 5 m/s. The direction of motion of the blocks with respect to each other dictates the direction of the friction forces.
Step 2: Determine the direction of friction forces on each block:
- **Block E:** Moving right at 2 m/s relative to the ground. The friction on E will act to the left (opposing the relative motion).
- **Block D:** Moving right at 1 m/s relative to the ground. The friction on D will also act to the left (opposing the relative motion).
- **Block C:** Moving right at 3 m/s relative to the ground. The friction on C acts to the left (due to higher speed of Block A).
- **Block B:** Moving right at 5 m/s relative to the ground and the friction will act to the left (opposing the relative motion).
- **Block A:** Moving left at 5 m/s. The ground (A) experiences friction from all the blocks above it, hence the friction force acts to the right on A.
Step 3: Summary of friction directions:
- Friction on E: Left
- Friction on D: Left
- Friction on C: Left
- Friction on B: Left
- Friction on A (ground): Right
Therefore, the correct answer is the direction indicated in option C.
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