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

Answer 1

To determine the direction in which the block will move when allie, Bill, Chris, and Debra apply their forces, we need to resolve the forces into their components.

1. Forces in the North-South Direction:

   • Allie's force (North): 18 N
   • Chris's force (South): 23 N

   Net force in the North-South direction: \[ F_{NS} = F_{\text{North}} - F_{\text{South}} = 18 , \text{N} - 23 , \text{N} = -5 , \text{N} \quad \text{(South)} \]

2. Forces in the East-West Direction:

   • Bill's force (East): 14 N
   • Debra's force (West): 20 N

   Net force in the East-West direction: \[ F_{EW} = F_{\text{East}} - F_{\text{West}} = 14 , \text{N} - 20 , \text{N} = -6 , \text{N} \quad \text{(West)} \]

Now, we have the following net forces acting on the block:

• 5 N South
• 6 N West

Since both net forces are directed south and west, the block will move in the south-west direction.

Therefore, the correct response is south and west.