Chapter 6, Problem 37PCE

Three boxes of masses m, 2m, and 3m are connected as shown in Figure 6-52. A force is applied to accelerate the boxes toward the right. (a) Rank the tensions in the ropes, T₁, T₂, and T₃, from smallest to largest, when the boxes are in motion and there is no friction between the boxes and the horizontal surface. (b) Rank the tensions in the ropes, from smallest to largest when the boxes are in motion and there is a coefficient of kinetic friction μ_k between the boxes and the horizontal surface