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

north and east
north and east

south and west
south and west

south and east
south and east

north and west

Answer 1

To determine the direction in which the block will move, we can first break down the forces acting on the block in the north-south and east-west directions.

1. North-South Forces:

   • Allie pushes north with 18 N.
   • Chris pushes south with 23 N.
   • Net force in the north-south direction: \( 23, \text{N (south)} - 18, \text{N (north)} = 5, \text{N (south)} \)

2. East-West Forces:

   • Bill pushes east with 14 N.
   • Debra pushes west with 20 N.
   • Net force in the east-west direction: \( 20, \text{N (west)} - 14, \text{N (east)} = 6, \text{N (west)} \)

Since the net force in the north-south direction is 5 N to the south and the net force in the east-west direction is 6 N to the west, the overall direction the block will move is south and west.

Therefore, the correct response is: south and west.