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 225 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

-175 N; the slab will remain stationary

-175 N; the slab will remain stationary

-50 N; the slab will remain stationary

-50 N; the slab will remain stationary

50 N; the slab will move upward

50 N; the slab will move upward

175 N; the slab will move upward

Answer 1

To determine the net force acting on the slab of concrete, we can calculate the total force applied by the workers and compare it to the gravitational force acting on the slab.

1. Each worker is pulling with a force of 225 N, so together they are applying: \[ \text{Total pulling force} = 225 \text{ N} + 225 \text{ N} = 450 \text{ N} \]

2. The gravitational force acting on the slab is 400 N, which acts in the opposite direction to the pulling force.

3. To find the net force, we subtract the gravitational force from the total pulling force: \[ \text{Net force} = \text{Total pulling force} - \text{Gravitational force} = 450 \text{ N} - 400 \text{ N} = 50 \text{ N} \]

Since the pulling forces are assigned positive values, the net force of 50 N is positive, indicating that the slab will move in the direction of the applied forces (upward).

Thus, the correct response is: 50 N; the slab will move upward.