A cart is rolling across the floor at a constant velocity of 2 m/s to the right. The cart is pushed again to the right, and it starts to accelerate.

How are the force of the push and acceleration of the cart related?

Question

A cart is rolling across the floor at a constant velocity of 2 m/s to the right. The cart is pushed again to the right, and it starts to accelerate. 

How are the force of the push and acceleration of the cart related?

linn99123 · Answer

A.)The balanced push causes the cart to accelerate.
B.)The force of gravity makes the car accelerate.
C.)The force and acceleration are not related.
D.)The unbalanced push causes the cart to accelerate.

lukebluefive · Answer

The force of gravity is not involved in the acceleration, since the car is traveling right, not down.  The force is related to the acceleration, since the force is applied in the same direction as the acceleration.

lukebluefive · Answer

I'm not sure which of the remaining two answers are correct, since I'm not familiar with the use of the word "balanced" in this situation.

lukebluefive · Answer

Oh, found it!  Balanced forces are forces that are applied in the same direction.  Are the cart's motion and the push in the same or different directions?