Two construction workers are attempting to pull a slab of concrete off of the ground. Each of the workers pulls up with a force of 225 N, while the slab of concrete applies a gravitational force of 400 N in the opposite direction.

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

-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 remain stationary

Answer 1

To find the net force acting on the slab of concrete, we can sum the forces applied:

1. The total upward force (from the two workers) is: \( 225 , \text{N} + 225 , \text{N} = 450 , \text{N} \) (upward).

2. The downward gravitational force applied by the slab is: \( 400 , \text{N} \) (downward).

Now, we can calculate the net force: \[ \text{Net force} = \text{Upward force} - \text{Downward force} \] \[ \text{Net force} = 450 , \text{N} - 400 , \text{N} = 50 , \text{N} , \text{(upward)}. \]

Since the result is positive, the net force of \( 50 , \text{N} \) indicates that the slab will move upward.

Therefore, the correct answer is: 50 N, the slab will move upward.