Question

A skier pushes himself along the snow on flat ground. He feels air resistance on his body. Which way is his net force vector pointing?

A. Up
B. Down
C. Backward
D. Forward

Answer 1

D. Forward

Step-by-step explanation:

Force is pull or push action on an object. A body changes its state of motion or rest when there is net force acting on it. The friction (air resistance) if present always acts in the opposite direction of motion. It reduces the magnitude of the force. The net force always acts in the direction of the motion of the body.

Thus, as the skier pushes himself along the snow on flat ground, against the air resistance, the net force vector would be pointing in forward direction.

Answer 2

The net force vector will be in forward direction. Therefore the correct answer is option (D).

Since the skier pushes himself along the snow on flat ground and he feels air resistance, he will only feels air resistance when he starts moving (unless wind is blowing in opposite direction). The net force vector is dependent on the amount of force applied by the skier here we assume that skier continues to move in forward direction. The net force vector will act in the direction of acceleration, since the skier continues to move in the forward direction, therefore the net force vector will also point in the forward direction.