Forces acting on the person carrying a bucket of water

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the forces acting on a person carrying a bucket of water. The original poster presents a multiple-choice question regarding which force is not acting on the person, with a focus on gravitational and normal forces, as well as friction.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Assumption checking, Conceptual clarification

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • The original poster attempts to understand why the gravitational force on the water is not considered a force acting on the person. Some participants question the nature of the forces involved, particularly in relation to action/reaction pairs.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants exploring the definitions and implications of forces acting on the person. There is a focus on clarifying the distinction between forces acting directly on the person versus those acting on the bucket of water.

Contextual Notes

Participants are considering the mechanics of forces in a walking scenario, with an emphasis on how forces are perceived in relation to the person carrying the bucket. There is an underlying assumption that the person is aware of forces acting directly on them, but not necessarily the causes of those forces.

miyayeah
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Homework Statement


A person of mass M is walking across the ground carrying a heavy bucket of water of mass m on top of their head. Which of the following forces is not acting on the person?

a) The gravitational force on the person Mg acting downward
b) The normal force from the ground acting upward
c) The gravitational force on the water mg acting downward
d) The force of static friction from the ground acting sideways

(The answer is c.)

Homework Equations


N/A

The Attempt at a Solution


I chose d because although friction force acting sideways is required to walk, I thought that walking forward would mean that static friction is acting forward and back, rather than sideways. I thought c was correct, so I am not sure why it is the answer. Could someone explain to me why c would not be considered to be one of the forces acting on the person?
 
Physics news on Phys.org
There is a force acting on the person by the water bucket, but it's not gravity. What force is it?
 
PhanthomJay said:
There is a force acting on the person by the water bucket, but it's not gravity. What force is it?
Is the force a part of action/reaction pair?
 
miyayeah said:
Could someone explain to me why c would not be considered to be one of the forces acting on the person?
All a body in a mechanics question 'knows' is forces that act on it directly. In that sense, the person knows there is a force on her head, but not its cause. The gravitational force on the water acts on the water.
 
miyayeah said:
Is the force a part of action/reaction pair?
Yes
 

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