Final answer:
To achieve a net force of zero with a 550 N force acting forward and a 300 N force acting backward, an additional force of 250 N directed backward is needed.
Step-by-step explanation:
The student is asking about the principles of net force in physics. To create a net force of zero, the forces acting on the object must balance out. In this case, the 550 N force is pushing the wagon forward and the 300 N force is pushing back. Thus, to achieve a zero net force, we need an additional force that equals the difference between the two, directed backward. So, the necessary force would be 550 N - 300 N = 250 N acting backward.
Learn more about Net Force