suppose you exert 150N on your refrigerator and push it across the kitchen floor at constant velocity.
a. is the friction force equal and opposite to your 200N push? explain
b. does the friction force make up the reaction force to your push?
Have your read this? Please don't post it again. The question is flawed. You cannot push on a referigerator with 150N and get 200N of force.
To answer these questions, we need to understand the concepts of forces, friction, and Newton's third law of motion.
a. Is the friction force equal and opposite to your 200N push?
When you exert a force of 150N on the refrigerator, the friction force between the fridge and the kitchen floor will oppose your push. According to Newton's third law of motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Therefore, the friction force will be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to your push.
In this case, since you are pushing the refrigerator at a constant velocity, there is no acceleration. This means that the net force acting on the refrigerator is zero. So, the friction force must also be 150N in the opposite direction to balance your push and keep the refrigerator moving at a constant velocity.
It's important to note that the weight of the refrigerator is not directly related to the friction force in this scenario. The friction force depends on the normal force (the force exerted by the floor on the refrigerator), the nature of the contact surfaces, and other factors.
b. Does the friction force make up the reaction force to your push?
No, the friction force does not make up the reaction force to your push. The reaction force to your push is the normal force exerted by the floor on the refrigerator. It is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force exerted by the refrigerator on the floor.
The friction force acts parallel to the surface, opposing your push, and is independent of the reaction force. The reaction force arises due to the interaction between the refrigerator and the floor and is required to maintain equilibrium and prevent the refrigerator from sinking into the floor.
In summary, the friction force is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to your push, as per Newton's third law of motion. However, the reaction force exerted by the floor on the refrigerator is not the friction force but rather the force needed to maintain equilibrium.