A student tries to push a heavy wooden table resting on a level floor
PHYSICS · Multi-part · CBSE · Physics · Force and Laws of Motion · Force and Laws of Motion
Problem
A student tries to push a heavy wooden table resting on a level floor. Two horizontal forces act on the table: the student’s push of 120N towards the east and the force of static friction of 120N towards the west. Later, the student calls a friend, and together they push the table with a combined force of 200N towards the east, while the static friction that can act still has a maximum value of 150N.
(i) For the first situation, classify the forces as balanced or unbalanced and justify your answer.
(ii) Predict and explain whether the table will start moving in the second situation.
(iii) Relate your observations to the concept of inertia of rest.