5 Fig. 5 shows two boxes, A of mass 12 kg and B of mass 6 kg , sliding in a straight line on a rough horizontal plane. The boxes are connected by a light rigid rod which is parallel to the line of motion. The only forces acting on the boxes in the line of motion are those due to the rod and a constant force of \(F \mathrm {~N}\) on each box.
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\caption{Fig. 5}
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The boxes have an initial speed of \(1.5 \mathrm {~m} \mathrm {~s} ^ { - 1 }\) and come to rest after sliding a distance of 0.375 m .
- Calculate the deceleration of the boxes and the value of \(F\).
- Calculate the magnitude of the force in the rod and state, with a reason, whether it is a tension or a thrust (compression).