Question

select the correct answer. ethan pushes a wooden box across a carpeted floor. then he pushes the same box across a smooth marble floor. why does ethan find it easier to push the box on the marble floor than on the carpeted floor? a. the box experiences more friction on the marble floor. b. the box experiences less friction on the marble floor. c. the box experiences more applied force on the marble floor. d. the box experiences less normal force on the marble floor.

Explanation:

To determine why it's easier to push the box on the marble floor, we analyze friction. Friction depends on surface roughness (and normal force, which is the same here as the box's weight is constant). A carpeted floor is rougher than a smooth marble floor. Rougher surfaces have more friction, so the marble floor (smoother) has less friction. Less friction means less force is needed to move the box, making it easier.

• Option A is wrong because marble (smooth) has less, not more, friction than carpet.
• Option C is wrong because the applied force is what Ethan exerts; the ease depends on friction, not the applied force being more.
• Option D is wrong because normal force equals the box's weight (same box, same floor type in terms of supporting force), so normal force is the same.

Only Option B correctly states the box experiences less friction on the marble floor.

Answer:

B. The box experiences less friction on the marble floor.