Question

A lawnmower of mass m is being pushed across a horizontal surface with a coefficient of friction. What happens to the lawnmower if the pushing force is greater than the force of friction?

a) The lawnmower accelerates.
b) The lawnmower moves with constant velocity.
c) The lawnmower decelerates.
d) The lawnmower remains stationary.

Answer 1

The answer of the given statement that "the lawnmower if the pushing force is greater than the force of friction" is a) The lawnmower accelerates.

Step-by-step explanation:

If the pushing force applied to the lawnmower is greater than the force of friction between the lawnmower and the horizontal surface, the lawnmower will experience a net force in the direction of the push. According to Newton's second law (F = ma), this net force will result in acceleration.

In this scenario, the lawnmower overcomes the force of friction, allowing it to accelerate across the horizontal surface. Once the applied force exceeds the force of friction, the lawnmower will continue to accelerate until an opposing force, like air resistance, becomes significant or until the applied force is reduced.

In summary, when the pushing force is greater than the force of friction, a) the lawnmower accelerates.