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

Question

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)
south and west
north and east
south and east
north and west

Answer 1

To determine the net direction in which the block will move, we can break down the forces into their respective directions (north-south and east-west) and then sum the forces in each direction.

1. North-South Forces:

   • Allie (North): +18 N
   • Chris (South): -23 N

   Net north-south force = 18 N (North) - 23 N (South) = -5 N (South)

2. East-West Forces:

   • Bill (East): +14 N
   • Debra (West): -20 N

   Net east-west force = 14 N (East) - 20 N (West) = -6 N (West)

Now we have:

• A net force of 5 N toward the South
• A net force of 6 N toward the West

Since both net forces are directed south and west, the block will move in the direction that combines these two, which is southwest.

However, in the options provided:

• south and west
• north and east
• south and east
• north and west

The closest answer to our conclusion is south and west.

Thus, the block will move south and west.