Question

The figure below shows a man pulling on rope that is connected to a heavy crate. The size of the force the rope puts on the crate is 500 Newtons. While the crate is moving at a constant speed of 2 m/s to the right, which one of the following statements about the net force on the crate is true?

a. Fnet on the crate is 0 Newtons.
b. Fnet on the crate is between 0 and 500 Newtons.
c. Fnet on the crate is 500 Newtons.
d. Fnet on the crate is more than 500 Newtons.
e. Not enough information

Answer 1

he net force on the crate is zero (option a), indicating a balanced situation where external forces cancel each other out, allowing the crate to move at a constant speed.

The correct answer is option a.

The crate is moving at a constant speed, indicating a state of equilibrium where the net force is zero. The force applied by the man pulling the rope is balanced by an equal and opposite force of friction or resistance. Therefore, option (a) "Fnet on the crate is 0 Newtons" is true.

In detail, when an object moves at a constant velocity, the net force acting on it is zero according to Newton's first law. The force applied by the man (500 Newtons) is counteracted by the opposing force, resulting in no acceleration. This opposing force can include friction, which prevents the crate from accelerating despite the applied force.