Question

In the free-body diagram, the magnitude of the normal force is 35 N, the friction force is 15 N, and the net force is 70 N. What is the magnitude of the applied force? Explain how you came to your answer in one to two sentences.

Answer 1

To find the magnitude of the applied force, we need to consider the equation for net force (F_net = F_applied - F_friction) and given that F_friction is 15 N and F_net is 70 N, we can rearrange the equation to solve for F_applied: F_applied = F_net + F_friction = 70 N + 15 N = 85 N. Thus, the magnitude of the applied force is 85 N.

Answer 2

To determine the magnitude of the applied force, we need to consider the equilibrium condition.

Since the net force is the vector sum of all forces acting on an object, and the object is in equilibrium, the applied force must be equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the sum of the normal force and the friction force.

Therefore, the magnitude of the applied force would be 35 N + 15 N = 50 N.