Question

This diagram represents a top-down view of an experiment on a table. The 250g and 100g masses are falling and are pulling the block.
What is the location and minimum number of masses that would have to be added to the picture above to cause the block to move only toward the bottom (straight down)?

A. 1000g mass on bottom
B. 500g mass on bottom
C. 250g mass on the left
D. 250g mass on left and 200g mass on bottom

Answer 1

The answer should be B: 500g of mass on bottom.

Answer 2

Answer:

C. 250g mass on the left

Explanation:

As the given figure there are two forces on the box placed on the table

1) due to 250 gram there will be a force which will pull it towards right

2) due to 100 g mass which will pull it downwards

now if we wish to move the block only in downward direction then we have to add a force on the block that will counterbalance the force towards right direction

so here it must have a force towards left which will balance the force of 250 g mass towards right

so it would be

C. 250g mass on the left