Physics (AS & A Level) · May / June 2022 · Paper 12 · Question 8

A child of mass 20 kg stands on the rough surface of a sledge of mass 40 kg. The sledge can slide on a horizontal frictionless surface. One end of a rope is attached to the sledge. The rope passes around a fixed frictionless pole, and the other end of the rope is held by the child, as shown. The rope is horizontal. The child pulls on the rope with a horizontal force of 12 N. This causes the child and the sledge to move with equal acceleration towards the pole. What is the frictional force between the child and the sledge?

1. A4.0 N
2. B6.0 N
3. C8.0 N
4. D12 N

As printed in the paper