If a runner is accelerating along a flat race track, which statement is true?(1 point)

Responses

The gravitational force of the runner on the ground is greater than the normal force of the ground on the runner.
The gravitational force of the runner on the ground is greater than the normal force of the ground on the runner.

The normal force of the ground on the runner is greater than the gravitational force of the runner on the ground.
The normal force of the ground on the runner is greater than the gravitational force of the runner on the ground.

The running force provided by the runner is greater than the drag on the runner from the air.
The running force provided by the runner is greater than the drag on the runner from the air.

1 answer

When a runner is accelerating along a flat race track, the following statement is true:

The running force provided by the runner is greater than the drag on the runner from the air.

This is because, in order to accelerate, the net force acting on the runner must be in the direction of the acceleration. The running force (the force exerted by the runner against the ground) must overcome both the drag force from the air and provide the necessary force for acceleration. Therefore, the running force must be greater than the drag force when the runner is accelerating.

The other statements regarding the normal force and gravitational force are not correct in this context, as the normal force and gravitational force typically balance each other out on flat surfaces under equilibrium conditions, assuming no vertical acceleration.