A steel crate rests on a smooth warehouse floor

PHYSICS · Multi-part · AP · Physics 1: Algebra-based · Force and Translational Dynamics · Force and Translational Dynamics

Problem

A steel crate rests on a smooth warehouse floor. Three horizontal forces already act on the crate: 18 N18\,\text{N} toward the west, 10 N10\,\text{N} toward the east and 7 N7\,\text{N} toward the west. (a) Calculate the resultant horizontal force acting on the crate due to these three forces and state its direction. (b) Find the magnitude and direction of the smallest single additional horizontal force that must be applied to bring the crate into equilibrium. (c) Suppose instead that a worker applies a 5 N5\,\text{N} force toward the east. If the mass of the crate is 50 kg50\,\text{kg}, compute the magnitude of the acceleration produced and state its direction.

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