Understanding Net Force and Direction of Movement
What is the gravitational force acting on the slab of concrete, and how does it affect the scenario?
A) 50 N; the slab will move upward
B) 175 N; the slab will move upward
C) -50 N; the slab will remain stationary
D) -175 N; the slab will remain stationary
Gravitational Force and Net Force Calculation
The gravitational force acting on the slab of concrete is 400 N. This force is pulling the slab downward, while two construction workers are pulling up with forces of 225 N each. By assigning positive values to the pulling forces and a negative value to the gravitational force, we can calculate the net force of the scenario.
The net force in this scenario can be found by summing up the forces acting on the slab of concrete. Each worker applies a force of 225 N, totaling 450 N of upward force. The gravitational force of 400 N acts in the opposite direction, pulling downward.
By subtracting the gravitational force from the total upward forces, we get: 450 N - 400 N = 50 N
Since the net force is positive, the slab of concrete will move upward with a force of 50 N. Therefore, the correct answer is option A: 50 N; the slab will move upward.
This calculation demonstrates the importance of considering all forces acting on an object to determine its movement. Understanding the concept of net force is crucial in analyzing scenarios involving multiple forces.