Question

Two construction workers are attempting to pull a slab of concrete off of the ground. Each of the workers are pulling up with a force of 225 N, while the slab of concrete applies a gravitational force of 400 N in the opposite direction, remaining stationary.

If the pulling forces applied to the slab of concrete are assigned a positive value, what is the net force of the scenario, and in which direction will the slab of concrete move?

(1 point)
Responses

-175 N; the slab will remain stationary
-175 N; the slab will remain stationary

175 N; the slab will move upward
175 N; the slab will move upward

-50 N; the slab will remain stationary
-50 N; the slab will remain stationary

50 N; the slab will move upward

Answer 1

To find the net force acting on the slab of concrete, we can analyze the forces involved:

1. The total pull force from the two workers is:
\[
225 \, \text{N} + 225 \, \text{N} = 450 \, \text{N} \quad (\text{upward})
\]

2. The gravitational force acting downward on the slab is:
\[
400 \, \text{N} \quad (\text{downward})
\]

3. The net force is calculated by subtracting the downward force from the total upward force:
\[
\text{Net Force} = \text{Upward Force} - \text{Downward Force} = 450 \, \text{N} - 400 \, \text{N} = 50 \, \text{N} \quad (\text{upward})
\]

Since the net force is positive (50 N), the slab of concrete will move upward.

Therefore, the correct response is:
**50 N; the slab will move upward.**