Which example shows unbalanced forces acting on an object?

Question

options:

A). Two people are on the same side of a large box. Both people pull the box with equal force.

B). Two people are on the same side of a large box. One person pushes the box and the other pulls the box with equal force.

C). Two people are on opposite sides of a large box. Both people pull the box with equal force.

D). Two people are on opposite sides of a large box. Both people push the box with equal force.

Answer 1

The example that shows unbalanced forces acting on an object is:

B). Two people are on the same side of a large box. One person pushes the box and the other pulls the box with equal force.

In this scenario, the forces exerted by the two people act in opposite directions (one person pushes forwards while the other pulls backwards), creating an unbalanced force on the box. The other options either have balanced forces or do not involve forces acting in opposite directions effectively.

Answer 2

A person tries to push a refrigerator across the kitchen. She applies as much force as possible, but she cannot make the refrigerator move.

Which statement BEST describes by the refrigerator does not move?

options:

A). The person applies too much force to the refrigerator, and now the forces on the refrigerator are balanced.

B). The person applies too much force to the refrigerator, and now the forces on the refrigerator are unbalanced.

C). The person does not apply enough force to the refrigerator, so the forces are still balanced.

D). The person does not apply enough force to the refrigerator, so the forces are unbalanced.

Answer 3

The statement that BEST describes why the refrigerator does not move is:

C). The person does not apply enough force to the refrigerator, so the forces are still balanced.

In this situation, it implies that the force of static friction opposing the motion of the refrigerator is equal to the maximum force the person is applying. Since the forces are balanced, the refrigerator remains in place.