What are the reaction forces to the external forces on the wagon in (b)?

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SUMMARY

The discussion focuses on identifying the reaction forces exerted by a wagon on Earth when external forces are applied. The key points include that the wagon exerts a downward force on Earth due to contact and gravitational attraction, as well as an upward force on Earth due to contact. The confusion arises regarding the force exerted on the handle, with participants debating whether it is upward to the left or downward to the left. The consensus is that the wagon does not exert a downward force on the handle, as this option is not provided in the choices.

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Morrissey
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Homework Statement


One or more external forces are exerted on each object enclosed in a dashed box shown in the figures below. Identify the reaction to each of these forces, assuming that (b) occurs on Earth. Select all that apply.
SDDrMtd.png


(b) the wagon exerts a force

· downward on the Earth due to contact
· downward on the Earth due to gravitational attraction
· upward on the Earth due to gravitational attraction
· upward to the left on the handle (?)
· upward on the Earth due to contact

(My choices in underline)
3. The Attempt at a Solution

The main question I have about this problem is whether the wagon exerts a force upwards to the left on the handle. I thought that the wagon would exert a force downwards to the left on the handle, but this isn't an answer choice, so I thought that selection would be a trick question.

Thanks in advance!
 
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Hi Morrissey, :welcome:

(better to keep one exercise per thread -- less confusing)

Thread 1: I think I agree with your thinking.

Thread 2: when ##m_1## is at rest, the maximum friction force is ##\mu_s N = \mu_s m_1 g##; you must first check if the driving force ##m_2 g## can exceed this.
 
Note: the second exercise has been removed from this thread. The OP is invited to post it in a separate thread.
 

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