Two construction workers are attempting to pull a slab of concrete off of the ground. Each of the workers are pulling up with a force of 250 N, while the slab of concrete applies a gravitational force of 400 N in the opposite direction, remaining stationary.

Question

If the pulling forces applied to the slab of concrete are assigned a positive value, what is the net force of the scenario, and in which direction will the slab of concrete move?

(1 point)
Responses

-150 N; the slab will remain stationary
-150 N; the slab will remain stationary

50 N; the slab will move upward
50 N; the slab will move upward

-100 N; the slab will remain stationary
-100 N; the slab will remain stationary

100 N; the slab will move upward
100 N; the slab will move upward

Answer 1

To calculate the net force in this scenario, we first need to consider the forces acting on the slab of concrete.

1. Each worker is pulling up with a force of 250 N, so the total upward force (F_upward) is: \[ F_{\text{upward}} = 250 , \text{N} + 250 , \text{N} = 500 , \text{N} \]

2. The slab of concrete applies a gravitational force downward of 400 N (F_gravity = 400 N).

Now, we can calculate the net force (F_net) acting on the slab of concrete: \[ F_{\text{net}} = F_{\text{upward}} - F_{\text{gravity}} \] \[ F_{\text{net}} = 500 , \text{N} - 400 , \text{N} = 100 , \text{N} \]

The net force is 100 N, and since the upward force is greater than the downward gravitational force, the slab will move upward.

Therefore, the correct response is: 100 N; the slab will move upward