Question

In which direction should the boy apply the force, in order to stop a trolley from sliding down the staircase?

Answer 1

Explanation

1. To halt it, force should be exerted in the opposite direction of the motion.
2. The trolley will continue to go down and will not stop if you apply force in the direction of motion.
3. When we provide a normal force to the trolley, we are not restricting its motion, and because the staircase is frictionless, the trolley will not stop and will not slip off the surface.
4. The boy has to apply a force in the upward direction, to stop it.
5. The applied force acts against the direction of motion of the trolley and hence it stops.
6. If you apply a downward force, the trolley will further slide down and will not stop
7. The force should be applied opposite to motion to stop it. in this, the motion is not straight down but a slope.

Hence, the force should be applied in the upward direction.