The picture below shows Jamal pushing with a 100-Newton (N) force on a large box. Neither Jamal nor the box move when he pushes on it.

Question

What force is the box applying on Jamal?

a
a 0 N force in the opposite direction that Jamal is pushing it

b
a 60 N force in the opposite direction that Jamal is pushing it
c
a 100 N force in the opposite direction that Jamal is pushing it
d
a 20 N force in the opposite direction that Jamal is pushing it

Answer 1

According to Newton's Third Law of Motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In this scenario, Jamal is pushing on the box with a force of 100 Newtons (N), and because the box is not moving, it must be applying an equal and opposite force on Jamal.

Since Jamal is pushing with a force of 100 N, the force that the box applies on Jamal is also 100 N, but in the opposite direction.

Therefore, the correct answer is:

c) a 100 N force in the opposite direction that Jamal is pushing it.