100 POINTS FOR CORRECT ANSWER/EXPLANATION

6 N

Explanation:

Let's start with the small block m on top.  There are four forces:

Weight force mg pulling down, normal force N₁ pushing up, tension force T pulling right, and friction force N₁μ pushing left (opposing the direction of motion).

Now let's look at the large block M on bottom.  There are seven forces:

Normal force N₁ pushing down (opposite and equal from block m),

Friction force N₁μ pushing right (opposite and equal from block m),

Weight force Mg pulling down,

Tension force T pulling right,

Applied force F pulling left,

Normal force N₂ pushing up,

and friction force N₂μ pushing right (opposing the direction of motion).

So you've correctly identified the free body diagrams.

Now apply Newton's second law.  Sum of forces in the y direction for block m:

∑F = ma

N₁ − mg = 0

N₁ = mg

Sum of forces in the x direction:

∑F = ma

T − N₁μ = 0

T = N₁μ

T = mgμ

Sum of forces in the y direction for block M:

∑F = ma

-N₁ − Mg + N₂ = 0

N₂ = N₁ + Mg

N₂ = mg + Mg

Sum of forces in the x direction:

∑F = ma

N₁μ + T − F + N₂μ = 0

F = N₁μ + T + N₂μ

F = mgμ + mgμ + (mg + Mg)μ

F = gμ(3m + M)

Since M = 2m:

F = 5gμm

Plug in values:

F = 5 (10 m/s²) (0.400) (0.300 kg)

F = 6 N

The correct answer is 6 N

Explanation:

Since M = 2m:

F = 5gμm

Plug in values:

F = 5 (10 m/s²) (0.400) (0.300 kg)

F = 6 N