if pete pushes a toy car across the floor, which statement is true according to newtons second law of…

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Newton's second law

Newton's second law is $F = ma$, where $F$ is net - force, $m$ is mass and $a$ is acceleration. For the toy car to move, there must be a non - zero net force.

Step2: Analyze each option

• If the force applied by Pete is greater than the frictional force between the car and the floor, there is a non - zero net force in the direction of motion, which is consistent with the car moving as per Newton's second law.
• If the net force acting on the toy car is zero, according to $F = ma$, the acceleration $a = 0$, and the car will not move or will move with a constant velocity (if already in motion). But the car is being pushed to move, so this is incorrect.
• Static equilibrium means the net force is zero and the object is at rest. Since the car is moving, it is not in static equilibrium.
• To make the toy car slow down (decelerate), a non - zero net force in the opposite direction of motion is required, not a zero net force.

Answer:

The force applied by Pete is greater than the frictional force between the car and the floor.