Mary Pushes Horizontally on a Large, Heavy Table Which Is

question 64

Multiple Choice

Mary pushes horizontally on a large, heavy table which is standing alone in the middle of a room, and notes that the table does not move despite the fact that she is pushing on it (see the figure) . Why doesn't the table move?

• A) Very massive objects, such as the table, are difficult to set into motion because of their large inertia.
• B) The table pushes back on Mary with a force that is even larger than Mary's pushing force.
• C) The force of gravity pulls downward on the table, and this force cancels the pushing force.
• D) A frictional force is also exerted by the floor on the table, and this force is equal and opposite to the pushing force.
• E) The table exerts a force on Mary, and this force is equal and opposite to the pushing force.

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Definitions:

Cambodia

A country located in the southern portion of the Indochina peninsula in Southeast Asia, known for its rich history, including the period of the Khmer Empire and the Angkor Wat temple complex.

Soviet Invasion

The military incursion by the Soviet Union into another country, often associated with Cold War era conflicts.

Afghanistan

A landlocked country located at the crossroads of Central and South Asia, noted for its complex history of war and strategic significance.

Mujahideen

Guerrilla fighters in Islamic countries, especially those who fought against Soviet forces in Afghanistan during the 1980s.