Question

question 5
if you have a book on a table, and you push it with a force of 8 newtons to the right, and your friend pushes it with a force of 5 newtons to the left, what is the net force acting on the book?
3 newtons to the right
3 newtons to the left
8 newtons to the right
no answer text provided.

Explanation:

Step1: Define positive - direction

Let the right - direction be positive and left - direction be negative.

Step2: Identify forces

Your force $F_1 = 8\ N$ (positive as it's to the right), friend's force $F_2=- 5\ N$ (negative as it's to the left).

Step3: Calculate net force

The net force $F_{net}=F_1 + F_2=8+( - 5)=3\ N$. Since the result is positive, the net force is to the right.

Answer:

3 Newtons to the right