Question

A boy pushes a cart with a constant velocity of 0.5m/s by applying a force of 60 N. What is the total frictional force acting on the cart?

Answer 1

The total frictional force equals 60 N

Step-by-step explanation:

We know that F - f = ma where F is the applied force, f is the frictional force, m the mass of the object and a its acceleration.

Now, since the cart moves with constant velocity, its acceleration is zero. So, a = 0.

So F - f = ma

F - f = m(0) = 0

F - f = 0

So, F = f

From the above, we see that the frictional force equals the applied force which is equal to 60 N.

So, f the total frictional force equals 60 N