A box containing supplies is vertically lowered at constant speed by a rope from a hovering helicopter. Consider the following forces that arise in this situation:
force 1: the force of the earth pulling on the box
force 2: the tension force acting on the box
force 3: the force of the earth pulling on the helicopter
force 4: the force of the box pulling on the Earth
Which two forces when added together give the net force on the box?
To determine which two forces are added together to give the net force on the box, we need to consider the forces acting on the box. The net force is the overall force acting on an object and is equal to the vector sum of all the individual forces.
In this situation, the forces acting on the box are:
1. The force of the earth pulling on the box: This force is the weight of the box and is directed downward.
2. The tension force acting on the box: This force is exerted by the rope from the helicopter and is directed upward.
3. The force of the earth pulling on the helicopter: This force exists, but it does not directly affect the net force on the box. Therefore, we can exclude this force from consideration.
4. The force of the box pulling on the Earth: This force also exists, but, like the previous force, it does not directly affect the net force on the box. Hence, we can disregard this force as well.
Given this information, if we add together forces 1 (the force of the earth pulling on the box) and force 2 (the tension force acting on the box), we will obtain the net force on the box. Thus, forces 1 and 2 are the two forces that, when added together, give the net force on the box.