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A brick is sliding to the left on a horizontal surface. What are the directions of the two surface forces (frictional and normal) acting on the object?

Option 1: Frictional force to the right, Normal force upward
Option 2: Frictional force to the left, Normal force upward
Option 3: Frictional force upward, Normal force to the left
Option 4: Frictional force upward, Normal force to the right

1 Answer

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Final answer:

The frictional force acting on a brick sliding to the left on a horizontal surface would be directed to the right, opposing the direction of motion. The normal force acting on the same brick would be directed upward, countering gravity. Therefore, Option 1 is the correct answer: Frictional force to the right, Normal force upward.

Step-by-step explanation:

The direction of the frictional force and the normal force acting on a brick sliding to the left on a horizontal surface can be determined by understanding the physics of motion and forces. The normal force is a perpendicular force exerted by a surface on an object in contact with it. This force is always directed away from the surface and in this case, it would be upward. The frictional force is a force that opposes the relative motion or the tendency of relative motion between two surfaces in contact. Since the brick is sliding to the left, the frictional force would be to the right, opposing the direction of motion.

Accordingly, the correct answer to the question about the direction of the frictional force and normal force is Option 1: Frictional force to the right, Normal force upward. This is because when objects slide across a horizontal surface, friction acts in the opposite direction of the motion to resist sliding, hence the frictional force is to the right. Additionally, the normal force is an equal and opposite reaction to the gravitational force pulling the brick downwards, so it acts upward.

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