A block of mass M is pulled along a horizontal frictionless surface by a rope of mass m. If a force P is applied at the free end of the rope, the force exerted by the rope on the block will be

Q: A block of mass M is pulled along a horizontal frictionless surface by a rope of mass m. If a force P is applied at the free end of the rope, the force exerted by the rope on the block will be

(a) P

(b) $\displaystyle \frac{P m}{M+m}$

(c) $\displaystyle \frac{P M}{M+m}$

(d) $\displaystyle \frac{P m}{M-m}$