Question

What is the correct interpretation of this diagram

1. Since the unbalanced force is at the top, the object will move down.
2. since three forces are balanced, the object will not change position.
3. since the unbalanced forces an upward force, the object will move upward.
4. since the unbalanced force is a downward force, the object will move down.

Answer 1

3 because 450 N is a bigger force than the rest so it will move up

Answer 2

3. since the unbalanced forces an upward force, the object will move upward.

Step-by-step explanation:

Newton's second law states that when an object is acted upon unbalanced forces, the object will experience an acceleration, whose direction is the same as the net force acting on the object, and whose magnitude is given by

`a=(F)/(m)`

where F is the net force and m is the object's mass.

From the above statement, we can say that an object accelerates in the direction of the net force acting on it. Looking at the diagram, we see that the net force on this object is upward, because the force going upward is 450 N while the force going downward is 400 N, so there is a net force:

`F=450 N -400 N=50 N`

in the upward direction. (there is no net force on the horizontal direction, since the two horizontal forces are equal and opposite)

So, the object will accelerate upward.