Eli5- in physics terms why is this guy doing 0 net force

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So since I can’t put the picture I’m gonna try to describe the situation:

A bunch of guys are pushing a pickup truck in one direction. There’s also a guy *on top* of the pickup truck (in the back) pushing against the front in the same direction. Obviously he’s not applying any force, but why?

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6 Answers

Anonymous 0 Comments

His hands are pushing the truck forward, sure…

But he’s bracing himself against the truck itself with his feet. His feet are pushing the truck backwards. This is where he’s balancing out the forces. I suppose it’s more like he’s trying to pull the truck apart.

If he pushed and jumped, he could exert some forward force against the truck. But it’ll push him backwards in the air… Assuming he lands on the truck bed, he’ll be moving backwards – skidding in this case – and the backwards movement of his body will slow the truck down. Assuming he doesn’t fall out… either he skids or a stop, or slams into the back of the truck bed to stop himself… yeah, forces largely balance out. Maybe some wind resistance but it’ll be small enough to be ignored.

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