A box is initially at rest on a frictionless surface. It then experiences two forces, as shown in the picture.

20 N BOX 18 N

Which best describes what will happen to the box?

A. It will move at a constant speed to the left.

B. It will move at a constant speed to the right.

C. It will move at an increasing speed to the left.

D. It will move at an increasing speed to the right.

1 answer

A. It will move at a constant speed to the left.

Since the forces are equal in magnitude but in opposite directions (20 N to the right and 18 N to the left), they will cancel each other out resulting in a net force of 2 N to the right. The box will move at a constant speed to the left due to this net force.