Question

A 200 N force is applied to a 50 kg crate, causing it to accelerate to the right at 3 m/s^2. Find the magnitude of the force of friction acting on the crate.

a) 200 N
b) 300 N
c) 100 N
d) 400 N

Answer 1

The magnitude of the force of friction acting on the crate is 50 N, which is the difference between the applied force (200 N) and the net force required to produce the acceleration (150 N).

Step-by-step explanation:

The student is asking about the force of friction acting on a 50 kg crate that is being accelerated by a 200 N force. According to Newton's second law, the net force acting on an object is equal to the mass times the acceleration (net force = mass * acceleration). Here, the 50 kg crate is accelerated at 3 m/s2, which means that the net force required for this acceleration is (50 kg * 3 m/s2) = 150 N.

Since a 200 N force is applied to the crate and a net force of 150 N is required to produce the acceleration, the difference must be due to the force of friction opposing the motion. Therefore, the magnitude of the force of friction is (200 N - 150 N) = 50 N.