On a horizontal frictionless floor, a worker of weight 0.900 kN pushes horizontally with a force of 0.200 kN on a box weighing 1.80 kN. As a result of this push, which statement could be true? A) The box will not move because the push is less than its weight. B) The worker and box will both have an acceleration of 1.08 m/s², but in opposite directions. C) The worker and box will both have an acceleration of 2.17 m/s², but in opposite directions. D) The worker will accelerate at 1.08 m/s2 and the box will accelerate at 2.17 m/s², but in opposite directions. E) The worker will accelerate at 2.17 m/s2 and the box will accelerate at 1.08 m/s², but in opposite directions.

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Quizplus · Accepted Answer

The force exerted by the worker on the box is equal and opposite to the force exerted by the box on the worker (Newton's third law). The acceleration of each can be calculated using F=ma. For the worker: a = F/m = 0.200 kN / 0.900 kN = 0.222 m/s². For the box: a = F/m = 0.200 kN / 1.80 kN = 0.111 m/s². The accelerations are in opposite directions.

On a Horizontal Frictionless Floor, a Worker of Weight 0