Final answer:
The force of gravity on the combined system of a 4 kg box of cream cheese and an 11 kg box of bagels is 147 Newtons (N), calculated by multiplying the total mass (15 kg) by the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2).
Step-by-step explanation:
The force of gravity (Fg) on any object near the surface of the Earth can be found using the formula Fg = m × g, where ‘m’ is the mass of the object and ‘g’ is the acceleration due to gravity, which is approximately 9.8 m/s2. In this case, we have a combined system of a 4 kg box of cream cheese and an 11 kg box of bagels, giving us a total mass of 15 kg. Applying this to the formula:
Fg = (4 kg + 11 kg) × 9.8 m/s2
Fg = 15 kg × 9.8 m/s2
Fg = 147 N
Therefore, the force of gravity acting on the combined system is 147 Newtons (N).