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 move upward
175 N; the slab will move upward

-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

Answer 1

To determine the net force acting on the slab of concrete, we need to consider the forces at play.

The two workers are applying a pulling force of 225 N each, resulting in a total upward force of:

\[ F_{\text{upward}} = 225 , \text{N} + 225 , \text{N} = 450 , \text{N} \]

The slab of concrete exerts a downward gravitational force of 400 N. Therefore, the net force can be calculated by subtracting the downward force from the total upward force:

\[ F_{\text{net}} = F_{\text{upward}} - F_{\text{downward}} = 450 , \text{N} - 400 , \text{N} = 50 , \text{N} \]

Since the pulling forces are assigned a positive value, this means that the net force is positive (50 N) and the direction is upward.

Thus, the correct answer is:

50 N; the slab will move upward.