Question

When a pair of 10-N forces act on a box of candy, the net force on the box is

A 20 N.
B about 14 N.
C zero.
D Any of the above depending on the directions of forces.

Answer 1

D Any of the above depending on the directions of forces.

Step-by-step explanation:

The net force on the box depends on the direction of the forces.

For example, we have three special cases:

- If the two forces are in the same direction, they add to each other, so the net force is

F = 10 N + 10 N = 20 N

- If the two forces are in opposite directions, the net force is given by the difference between the two forces, so

F = 10 N - 10 N = 0 N

- If the two forces are perpendicular to each other, their resultant is given by the Pythagorean theorem:

`F=√((10 N)^2 + (10 N)^2)=14.1 N`

If the two forces are at any other angle, their resultant can be found by resolving each force along the x- and y- direction, and adding the components along each direction. The resultant net force will have a magnitude between 0 N and 20 N.