Final answer:
The motion of the sliding box is governed by forces, energy, and work, specifically the kinetic friction that decelerates the box until it comes to rest.
Step-by-step explanation:
When a person pushes a box causing it to slide across the floor, the initial force applied results in the box accelerating in the direction of the push. If the floors are frictionless, as in some thought experiments, the box would continue moving at a constant velocity after the push. However, in a realistic scenario, a sliding box on a floor will experience friction, which is a force that opposes the motion.The box slows down due to the kinetic friction between the box and the floor. This frictional force acts in the opposite direction to the motion, and the work done by friction converts the kinetic energy of the box into heat. The amount of friction depends on the mass of the box and the coefficient of kinetic friction between the box and the floor surface. As the box slows down, its velocity decreases until it eventually comes to a stop unless acted upon by another force. The concepts of Newton's second law, kinetic energy, and work are vital in analyzing this motion.In conclusion, the box's motion can be thoroughly analyzed using principles of physics, particularly those related to forces, energy, and work. The frictional force plays a critical role in decelerating the box until it halts.