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

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

-50 N; the slab will remain stationary
-50 N; the slab will remain stationary

175 N; the slab will move upward
175 N; the slab will move upward

-175 N; the slab will remain stationary

Answer 1

To find the net force acting on the slab of concrete, we can calculate the total upward force and then subtract the downward gravitational force.

1. Calculate the total upward force: Each worker is pulling with a force of 225 N, and there are two workers: \[ \text{Total upward force} = 225 , \text{N} + 225 , \text{N} = 450 , \text{N} \]

2. Gravitational force (downward force): The downward gravitational force is given as: \[ \text{Downward force} = 400 , \text{N} \]

3. Calculate the net force: \[ \text{Net force} = \text{Total upward force} - \text{Downward force} = 450 , \text{N} - 400 , \text{N} = 50 , \text{N} \]

Since we assigned the upward pulling force a positive value, a net force of 50 N indicates that the net force is directed upward.

Therefore, based on this calculation, the answer is: 50 N; the slab will move upward.