A person is lowering a bucket into a well with a constant speed. The force exerted by the rope on the bucket is
A) equal to the bucket's weight.
B) greater than the bucket's weight.
C) less than the bucket's weight, but not zero N.
D) zero N.
E) Cannot be determined without additional information.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Since the bucket is being lowered with a constant speed, the net force acting on the bucket must be zero. This means that the force of gravity pulling down on the bucket must be balanced by a force of equal magnitude pulling up on the bucket from the rope. This force is provided by tension in the rope, and its magnitude is equal to the weight of the bucket. Therefore, the force exerted by the rope on the bucket is equal to the bucket's weight.

A Person Is Lowering a Bucket into a Well with a Constant