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ASVAB · Force and Motion

Two people push on opposite sides of a box with equal force. What happens to the box?

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Correct answer

It remains stationary because the forces are balanced (net force is zero)

  1. A It remains stationary because the forces are balanced (net force is zero)
  2. B It spins rapidly
  3. C It moves toward the stronger person
  4. D It moves upward

Why this is the answer

The box remains STATIONARY because the equal, opposite forces are BALANCED — the NET FORCE is zero. ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension tests force balance. When forces are balanced (equal and opposite), there is no net force, so there's no change in motion (Newton's first law — an object stays at rest). If one person pushed harder, there would be a net force and the box would accelerate toward the weaker side. Understanding balanced vs unbalanced forces and net force is commonly tested.
Source: ASVAB Mechanical Comprehension — Balanced Forces

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About this topic: Force and Motion

Force and motion questions cover Newton's laws, friction, gravity, acceleration and momentum, usually as pictures of objects being pushed, pulled, dropped or balanced. Identify every force acting before deciding what the object will do. This is one of 13 Mechanical Comprehension questions on force and motion, each with a full explanation on a single study page.

New to this exam? Our ASVAB exam guide explains the format, scoring, and how to prepare.

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