Four friends push on the same block in different directions. Allie pushes on the block to the north with a force of 18 N. Bill pushes on the block to the east with a force of 14 N. Chris pushes on the block to south with a force of 23 N. Debra pushes on the block to the west with a force of 20 N. Assuming it does not move vertically, in which directions will the block move?(1 point)

Question

Responses

south and east
south and east

north and east
north and east

north and west
north and west

south and west

Answer 1

To determine the direction the block will move, we can analyze the forces acting on it in both the north-south and east-west directions.

1. North-South Forces:

   • Allie pushes north with 18 N.
   • Chris pushes south with 23 N.

   The net force in the north-south direction can be calculated as: \[ \text{Net Force (NS)} = \text{Force South} - \text{Force North} = 23, \text{N} - 18, \text{N} = 5, \text{N} \text{ south} \]

2. East-West Forces:

   • Bill pushes east with 14 N.
   • Debra pushes west with 20 N.

   The net force in the east-west direction can be calculated as: \[ \text{Net Force (EW)} = \text{Force East} - \text{Force West} = 14, \text{N} - 20, \text{N} = 6, \text{N} \text{ west} \]

Now, we can summarize the net forces:

• The net force in the north-south direction is 5 N south.
• The net force in the east-west direction is 6 N west.

As a result, the block will move in the direction of the resultant net forces, which is south and west.

So, the correct response is: south and west.