Why do trains use steel wheels rather than rubber tires? a) steel wheels provide more grip, making it easier to stop a train.
b) rubber tires don't provide enough friction to allow the train to move.
c) steel wheels increase friction, thus making it easier to move the load.
d) steel wheels reduce friction, thus requiring less force to move the load.

Visualize the problem and identify special cases first examine the problem by drawing a picture and visualizing the motion. apply newton's 2nd law, ∑f⃗ =ma⃗ , to each body in your mind. don't worry about which quantities are given. think about the forces on each body: how are these consistent with the direction of the acceleration for that body? can you think of any special cases that you can solve quickly now and use to test your understanding later? one special case in this problem is if m2=0, in which case block 1 would simply fall freely under the acceleration of gravity: a⃗ 1=−gj^.