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

1 answer

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

Forces in the North-South Direction:

  • Allie pushes north with a force of 18 N.
  • Chris pushes south with a force of 23 N.

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

Forces in the East-West Direction:

  • Bill pushes east with a force of 14 N.
  • Debra pushes west with a force of 20 N.

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

Resultant Direction: The net force acts southward (5 N) and westward (6 N). Therefore, the block will move in the direction of these resultant forces, which is south and west.

The correct response is south and west.