Final answer:
The force required to start moving a box on a steel table can be calculated using Newton's second law of motion, considering the forces of static friction and the weight of the box.
Step-by-step explanation:
According to Newton's second law of motion, the force required to start the box moving is equal to the product of its mass and acceleration. In this case, the mass of the box is 15 kg. To calculate the acceleration, we need to consider the forces acting on the box. The force applied by the student must overcome the force of static friction between the box and the table.
The force of static friction can be calculated using the equation:
Frictional force = coefficient of static friction × normal force
Since the box is at rest on a horizontal table, the normal force acting on it is equal to its weight, which can be calculated using the equation:
Normal force = mass × gravitational acceleration
Once the force of static friction is known, it can be compared to the force applied by the student to determine if the box will start moving.