Question

Imagine a scenario in which an animal's force is pushing itself forward 5 N, friction is pushing it 4 N backward, gravity is pushing the animal 10 N down, and the animal is pushing itself 10 N up. Describe the movement of the animal. (1 point)

Answer 1

In this scenario, the animal is experiencing multiple forces acting upon it. The force that the animal is exerting on itself pushing it forward (5 N) is counteracted by the force of friction pushing it backward (4 N). Additionally, the force of gravity is acting vertically downwards (10 N), while the animal is also exerting a force pushing itself upwards (10 N).

Since the animal's force pushing itself forward is larger than the force of friction pushing it backward, the net force in the horizontal direction is 5 N - 4 N = 1 N forward. This net force causes the animal to move forward, overcoming the opposing force of friction.

However, in the vertical direction, the opposing forces are in balance. The force of gravity pulling the animal down is equal in magnitude to the force that the animal is exerting on itself pushing upward. Therefore, the net force in the vertical direction is 10 N - 10 N = 0 N. As a result, the animal remains in equilibrium in the vertical direction, not experiencing any vertical movement.

To summarize, in this scenario, the animal would be moving forward due to the net force exerted by itself being larger than the force of friction. However, it would not experience any vertical movement as the opposing forces in the vertical direction are in equilibrium.