Final answer:
The minimum horizontal force required to move the steel block can be calculated using the formula for maximum static friction, while the acceleration of the block when the force is continuously applied is determined using the formula for net force.
Step-by-step explanation:
To determine the minimum horizontal force required to move the steel block, we need to consider the static friction between the block and the surface it is sitting on. The formula to calculate the maximum static friction is given by:
Fs(max) = μN
where Fs(max) is the maximum static friction, μ is the coefficient of static friction, and N is the normal force exerted on the block. Since the block is on a flat surface, the normal force is equal to the weight of the block, which can be calculated as:
N = m*g
where m is the mass of the block and g is the acceleration due to gravity. Once we have the maximum static friction, we can say that the minimum force needed to start moving the block is equal to the maximum static friction, given by:
Fmin = Fs(max)
For part (b) of the question, if the same force is continuously applied, the block will experience a constant, non-zero net force. The formula to calculate the acceleration of an object when a net force is applied is given by:
a = F_net / m
where a is the acceleration, F_net is the net force, and m is the mass of the object. The net force can simply be the applied force, so the block will accelerate at a rate given by:
a = F / m