Question

A loaded penguin sled weighing 68.0 N is being pulled along a horizontal surface with a force of 40.0 N. What is the net force acting on the sled?

1) 28.0 N
2) 40.0 N
3) 68.0 N
4) 108.0 N

Answer 1

The net force acting on the sled is 0 N.

Step-by-step explanation:

The net force acting on the sled can be found by subtracting the force of friction from the applied force. In this case, the applied force is 40.0 N and the force of friction is unknown. Since the sled is being pulled along a horizontal surface, the force of friction is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the applied force. This means that the force of friction is also 40.0 N. Therefore, the net force acting on the sled is:

Net force = Applied force - Force of friction

Net force = 40.0 N - 40.0 N = 0 N

So, the correct answer choice is 0 N.

Answer 2

The net force acting on the sled is equal to the pulling force of 40.0 N, as no other horizontal forces are mentioned.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question relates to the topic of Newton's laws of motion and frictional forces in Physics. When determining the net force acting on an object, we consider all the individual forces and their directions. If a loaded penguin sled weighing 68.0 N is being pulled with a force of 40.0 N along a horizontal surface, the pulling force is the only force acting in the horizontal direction, assuming no information about friction is provided. Thus, the net force acting on the sled in the horizontal direction is simply the magnitude of the pulling force, which is 40.0 N.