Question

A monster pushes a 3 kg pumpkin across the field to the right. The pumpkin is accelerating at a rate of 2 m/s2, the friction force is 0.35 N.
Draw the free body diagram (Recall: you must Calculate Fw)
Include all labels and numerical values.
What is the net force for the X axis?
What is applied force?

Answer 1

Assumptions: the monster pushes horizontally, so there is no vertical acceleration.

Free-body diagram (ASCII):
↑ N = 29.4 N
|
[ pumpkin ] → F_app = 6.35 N
| ← F_fric = 0.35 N
↓ Fw = 29.4 N

Calculations:
- Weight (Fw) = m g = 3 kg × 9.8 m/s² = 29.4 N (downward).
- Vertical: ΣFy = N − Fw = 0 ⇒ N = 29.4 N (upward).
- Horizontal: ΣFx = m a = 3 kg × 2 m/s² = 6 N (to the right).
- Applied force: ΣFx = F_app − F_fric ⇒ F_app = m a + F_fric = 6 N + 0.35 N = 6.35 N (to the right).

Answers:
- Fw = 29.4 N (downward).
- Net force in x-axis = 6 N to the right.
- Applied force = 6.35 N to the right.