Question Imagine a scenario in which an animal is pushing itself forward with a force of 5 N and friction is pushing it 4 N backward. Meanwhile, gravity is pushing the animal 10 N down, and the ground is pushing it 10 N up. Which statement best describes the movement of the animal? Responses It moves forward and upward because those are the greatest net forces. It moves forward and upward because those are the greatest net forces. - no response given It moves 10 N down and 10 N up as those are the greatest forces acting on the animal. It moves 10 N down and 10 N up as those are the greatest forces acting on the animal. - no response given ​​​​​​It moves 29 N forward because that's the net force. ​​​​​​It moves 29 N forward because that's the net force. - no response given It only moves forward because there is a net force forward. It only moves forward because there is a net force forward. - no response given Skip to navigation

Answer 1

To analyze the movement of the animal, we can look at the forces acting on it:

1. Forward force: 5 N
2. Friction (backward force): 4 N
3. Gravity (downward force): 10 N
4. Normal force (upward force): 10 N

Let's calculate the net forces:

• Net force in the forward/backward direction: Forward force - Friction = 5 N - 4 N = 1 N forward

• Net force in the upward/downward direction: Upward force - Gravity = 10 N - 10 N = 0 N (the forces are balanced)

The net force acting on the animal is 1 N forward, and there is no net force acting vertically since the forces are balanced. Therefore, the animal will move forward but not upward.

Given this analysis, the best statement that describes the movement of the animal would be:

"It only moves forward because there is a net force forward."