Haley is trying to pull an object upward. The below forces are acting on the object.
[tex]
\begin{array}{l}
F_p=5500 N \\
F_g=6000 N
\end{array}
[/tex]
Which represents the net force?
A. -500 N
B. -500 N
C. + 500 N
D. 500 N
Answer (2)
The problem provides two forces acting on an object: an upward force F p = 5500 N and a downward force F g = 6000 N .
Net force is calculated by subtracting the magnitudes of the forces since they act in opposite directions.
Calculate the net force: F n e t = F p − F g = 5500 N − 6000 N = − 500 N .
The net force is − 500 N , indicating a net force of 500 N in the downward direction.
Explanation
Understanding the Forces We are given two forces acting on an object: F p = 5500 N pulling upward and F g = 6000 N pulling downward. We need to find the net force acting on the object.
Calculating Net Force The net force is the vector sum of all forces acting on the object. Since the forces are acting in opposite directions, we subtract the magnitudes of the forces to find the net force. We consider the upward direction as positive and the downward direction as negative.
Determining the Net Force The net force, F n e t , is calculated as follows: F n e t = F p − F g = 5500 N − 6000 N = − 500 N
Final Answer The net force acting on the object is -500 N. The negative sign indicates that the net force is in the downward direction.
Examples
Imagine you are playing tug-of-war. One team pulls with a force of 5500 N, and the other team pulls with a force of 6000 N. The net force determines which team wins and by how much. In this case, the net force is -500 N, meaning the team pulling with 6000 N wins, and the object (the rope) experiences a net force of 500 N in their direction. Understanding net forces is crucial in many real-world scenarios, such as designing structures, analyzing motion, and understanding equilibrium.
The net force acting on the object is -500 N, indicating a net force of 500 N in the downward direction. Therefore, the answer is B: -500 N.
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