Final answer:
The forces acting on the box are gravity, which always pulls objects towards the Earth, and friction, which resists motion when the box moves on a surface. These are classic examples of contact forces. Given the options provided, gravity and friction are the correct forces acting on the 2.00 kg box.
Step-by-step explanation:
The forces acting on a 2.00 kg box placed on a surface could include gravity, which pulls the box towards the Earth, and if the box is moving along the surface, friction, which is the resistance that occurs when two surfaces slide past one another. If the box were being lifted, we might consider tension, but since it's not specified that the box is suspended, tension would not apply. Similarly, compression relates to forces pushing on or squeezing the box, which isn't detailed in the scenario provided. Unless specifically dealing with charged objects or magnetic materials, we would not consider magnetic and electric forces for a standard box on a surface. Thus, among the given options, gravity and friction are the forces most likely acting on the box.
Gravitational forces and frictional forces are both contact forces that act on objects due to their interactions with other objects or surfaces. Gravitational force (weight) always acts downward towards the center of the Earth, and the normal force acts perpendicular to the contact surface, balancing the gravitational force when the object is at rest on a horizontal surface. When the box is moving, friction acts in the opposite direction of the motion.