Question

if pete pushes a toy car across the floor, which statement is true according to newtons second law of motion?
the force applied by pete is greater than the frictional force between the car and the floor.
the net force acting on the toy car is zero.
the toy car is in static equilibrium.
zero net force is required to make the toy car slow down, that is, decelerate.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Newton's second law

Newton's second law is $F = ma$, where $F$ is net - force, $m$ is mass and $a$ is acceleration. For the toy car to move, there must be a non - zero net force.

Step2: Analyze each option

• If the force applied by Pete is greater than the frictional force between the car and the floor, there is a non - zero net force in the direction of motion, which is consistent with the car moving as per Newton's second law.
• If the net force acting on the toy car is zero, according to $F = ma$, the acceleration $a = 0$, and the car will not move or will move with a constant velocity (if already in motion). But the car is being pushed to move, so this is incorrect.
• Static equilibrium means the net force is zero and the object is at rest. Since the car is moving, it is not in static equilibrium.
• To make the toy car slow down (decelerate), a non - zero net force in the opposite direction of motion is required, not a zero net force.

Answer:

The force applied by Pete is greater than the frictional force between the car and the floor.