Question

A metal block with a mass of 5.2 kg is pushed east along a flat surface with a force of 4.0 N. IF the force of friction is 2.0 N , draw a FDB of the situation, and calculate the net force on the metal block.

Answer 1

Let's draw a free-body diagram:

here, $F_p=4.0\ N$ is the horizontal force that pushes a metal block to the east, $F_{fr}=2.0\ N$ is the force of friction, $F_{Net}$ is the net force on the metal block.

Then, we can calculate the net force on the metal block:

$$F_{Net}=F_{p}-F_{fr}=4.0\ N-2.0\ N=2.0\ N.$$

Answer:

$F_{Net}=2.0\ N.$