Here are the essential concepts you must grasp in order to answer the question correctly.
Net Force
The net force is the vector sum of all individual forces acting on an object. It determines the object's acceleration according to Newton's second law, F_net = ma, where F_net is the net force, m is mass, and a is acceleration. In this problem, the net force is given as 4.0 N in the x-direction, which means the combined effect of all forces results in this specific force acting on the object.
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Vector Components
Forces are vector quantities, meaning they have both magnitude and direction. To analyze forces effectively, they can be broken down into their components along the x and y axes. This involves using trigonometric functions to resolve forces into their horizontal (x) and vertical (y) components, which simplifies the calculation of net forces and allows for easier application of Newton's laws.
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Equilibrium
An object is in equilibrium when the net force acting on it is zero, meaning all forces balance out. In this scenario, while the net force is not zero, understanding equilibrium helps in analyzing how the forces interact. The forces F₃ and F₄ must be calculated to ensure that when added to the known forces, they yield the specified net force of 4.0 N, indicating a balance of forces in the system.
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