Question

The forces acting on a child sitting in a seat are described by the free-body diagram shown.

A free body diagram with 2 force vectors. The first vector is pointing downward, labeled F Subscript g Baseline = negative 100 N. The second vector is pointing upward, labeled F Subscript N Baseline = 100 N. The vectors are the same length.

What is the net force acting on the child?

–100 N
0 N
100 N
200 N

Answer 1

0 N

The upward normal force (100 N) and the downward gravitational force (−100 N) are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, so they cancel and the net force is zero.