Question

A box is against a wall. A person pushes on the box, but the box does not move. Is this situation an example of a force?

A. No, this is not an example of a force because a force pulls an object.

B. Yes, this is an example of a force because a force is a push or pull.

C. Yes, this is an example of a force because gravity is pulling the box down.

D. No, this is not an example of a force because the box did not move.

Answer 1

B. Yes — a force is a push or pull. The person applying a push exerts a force even if the box doesn't move; the push is balanced by opposing forces (e.g., the wall's normal force and friction), so the net force is zero and there is no motion.