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 west
south and west

south and east
south and east

north and east
north and east

north and west

Answer 1

To determine the direction the block will move, we need to calculate the net force acting in both the north-south and east-west directions.

North-South Forces

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

Net force in the north-south direction: \[ \text{Net North-South Force} = \text{Force North} - \text{Force South} = 18 , \text{N} - 23 , \text{N} = -5 , \text{N} \] (The negative sign indicates that the net force is directed south.)

East-West Forces

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

Net force in the east-west direction: \[ \text{Net East-West Force} = \text{Force East} - \text{Force West} = 14 , \text{N} - 20 , \text{N} = -6 , \text{N} \] (The negative sign indicates that the net force is directed west.)

Resulting Direction of Motion

Since the net forces indicate the following:

• 5 N directed south (net force in the north-south direction),
• 6 N directed west (net force in the east-west direction),

The block will move in the direction combining these two forces, which is south and west.

Therefore, the correct response is: south and west.