Question

Marybeth and Grant are pushing on a wagon, both pushing in opposite directions. Marybeth is pushing to the left with a force of 34 Newtons. Grant is pushing to the right with a force of 48 Newtons. What is the net force and which direction will the wagon move?

Answer 1

Answer:

14 N to the right

Explanation:

The net force is equal to the resultant of the forces acting on the wagon. In this case, we are considering two forces acting on the wagon:

- The force applied by Marybeth, to the left, of magnitude 34 N

- The force applied by Grant, to the right, of magnitude 48 N

Since the two forces are in opposite directions, in order to find the net force, we must choose a positive direction. Let's take "right" as positive direction, so the net force is:

$F=+48 N-34 N=+14 N$

And the positive sign means the net force is to the right. Due to this net force different from zero, the wagon will have an acceleration to the right, so if the wagon was at rest, it will start moving to the right.