Question 20

Friction causes a heavy appliance to resist movement when being pushed.

Friction is the force that opposes the motion of an object when it is in contact with another surface. When a heavy appliance is pushed, the friction between the appliance and the surface it rests on resists its movement.

A) Magnetism

Magnetism is a force that occurs between magnets and magnetic materials, and it does not play a role in the resistance to movement of a heavy appliance on a surface. Therefore, magnetism is not the correct answer for this scenario.

B) Friction

Friction is the correct answer as it is the force that directly opposes the movement of the heavy appliance when an external force is applied. The interaction between the surface of the appliance and the surface it is on generates friction, which must be overcome for the appliance to move.

C) Gravity

Gravity is the force that pulls objects towards the earth, contributing to the weight of the appliance but not directly causing resistance to movement. While gravity affects how heavy the appliance feels, it is not the force that resists its movement.

D) Tension

Tension refers to the force that is transmitted through a string, rope, or cable when it is pulled tight by forces acting from opposite ends. It does not apply to the resistance encountered when pushing a heavy appliance, making it an incorrect option in this context.

Conclusion

Friction is the definitive force that resists the movement of a heavy appliance when pushed, while the other options either pertain to different physical phenomena or do not apply to the scenario. Understanding the role of friction is crucial when analyzing the forces acting on objects in motion.