Question

A girl is pushing a box in the east direction. In which direction should her friend push the box so that it moves faster in the same direction?

Answer 1

Find the direction of the push

1. The friend should also push in the east direction in order to move the box faster because it increases the magnitude of the force acting on the box which leads to an increase in acceleration of the box.
2. The magnitude of net force increases if the force is applied in the same direction by both the girls.
3. The magnitude of net force decreases if the force applied by both the girls is in the opposite direction, as shown in the given figure.
   

Hence, the girls should push it in the east direction.