What must be true about a block being pulled along a frictionless surface by a constant force?

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Enhance your knowledge for the ASU PHY101 Exam. Prepare with multiple choice questions, flashcards, and explanations. Get exam ready with ease!

When a block is pulled along a frictionless surface by a constant force, it experiences a net force acting on it. According to Newton's second law of motion, the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. This relationship is expressed with the equation ( F = ma ), where ( F ) is the net force, ( m ) is the mass, and ( a ) is the acceleration.

Since the block is subject to a constant force, the acceleration it experiences will also be constant, which means it is moving with a constant nonzero acceleration as long as it is not at rest. The presence of a constant force implies that there is no change in the magnitude of the force applied, resulting in a steady acceleration and, consequently, a continuous change in the block's velocity.

This understanding highlights the motion of the block, showing that it cannot be at rest or moving with decreasing acceleration, as those scenarios contradict the condition of a constant force resulting in a constant acceleration. Therefore, the block must be moving with a consistent, nonzero acceleration when subjected to that constant force on a frictionless surface.

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