Final answer:
The force exerted on the cart is calculated by dividing the work done by the distance the cart was pushed, yielding a force of 40 newtons.
Step-by-step explanation:
If it took 80 joules to push a cart 2 meters across the floor, to find the force exerted on the cart we can use the formula for work, which is Work = Force × Distance. We can rearrange this formula to solve for force (Force = Work / Distance), substituting the given values to get:
Force = 80 joules / 2 meters
= 40 newtons
Therefore, the force with which the cart was pushed is 40 newtons.