If the resistor is in series with the rest of the circuit then a is the correct answer. The voltage across the resistor in series with another resistor is

where R is the big resistor and r is the small one and V is the total voltage drop across both. This is called a voltage divider
It goes in the downward direction
We can find the average speed of the body by finding the total distance covered, and then dividing it by the total time of the motion.
The total distance covered is:

while the total time of the motion is

So, the average speed of the body is:
Answer
given,
mass of the = m₁ = 8.75 Kg
another mass of the object = m₂ = 14 Kg
distance between them = 50 cm
R₁ = 17 cm
R₂ = 50 -17 = 33 cm
a) Force applied due to the Mass 8.75 in +ve x- direction



Force applied due to mass 14 Kg in -ve x-direction



net force
F = F₁ + F₂


Using newton second law



b) As the acceleration of mass comes out to be +ve hence, the direction will be toward the mass of 8.75 Kg