A worker pushes horizontally on a 2000 N refrigerator on a kitchen floor with a force of 28.0 N.
A. If the refrigerator moves forward, this person feels it pushing back with less than 28.0 N.
B. The person always feels a 28.0 N push from the refrigerator.
C. The person feels a 28.0 N push from the refrigerator only if it does not move.
D. The person feels a 2000 N push from the refrigerator.
The correct answer is A. If the refrigerator moves forward, the person feels it pushing back with less than 28.0 N.
To understand why this is the correct answer, we need to consider Newton's Third Law of Motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
In this scenario, the action is the horizontal force applied by the worker on the refrigerator, which is 28.0 N. According to Newton's third law, the refrigerator will exert an equal and opposite reaction force on the worker. However, the reaction force does not have to be the same magnitude as the applied force.
The reaction force depends on the friction between the refrigerator and the kitchen floor. If there is enough friction to overcome the applied force, the refrigerator will not move, and the person will feel a 28.0 N push in the opposite direction.
However, if the applied force is greater than the frictional force, the refrigerator will start to move. In this case, the reaction force from the refrigerator will be less than the applied force. The person will still feel a push from the refrigerator, but it will be less than 28.0 N because the refrigerator is moving.
Therefore, option A is the correct answer.