Question

A boy pushes a 100 N box across a frictionless surface. He applies a 20 N force to it. What is the net force? What will happen? A) Net force is 120 N; the box will accelerate. B) Net force is 100 N; the box will move at a constant velocity. C) Net force is 20 N; the box will come to a stop. D) Net force is 80 N; the box will move in the opposite direction.

Answer 1

In this Physics scenario, the net force acting on the box is 20N - the force applied by the boy. Because of this force, the box will accelerate. The weight of the box does not correlate to the net force in this case.

Step-by-step explanation:

The subject of this question pertains to the concepts of Net Force, Newtons' Second Law, and motion in Physics. In this scenario, where a boy pushes a 100 N box across a frictionless surface with a 20 N force, the force applied by the boy is the only force working on the box (since there's no friction), making the net force on the box 20N. According to Newton's Second Law, this net force will cause the box to accelerate.

Therefore, the correct option is: Net force is 20 N; the box will accelerate (which is not listed in your options). The net force would not sum with the weight of the box, and since the boy is applying a force, it won't come to a stop. Given the scenario, it won't move in the opposite direction or move at constant velocity either.

Learn more about Net Force