If you push down on an object on a frictionless table, which force diagram accurately displays the forces acting on it?

The correct answer effectively represents the forces acting on the object on a frictionless table when a downward force is applied. In this scenario, when you push down on the object, you are applying a force, which can be labeled as the weight force (F W) acting downwards due to gravity. The object will also experience a normal force (N) acting upwards from the surface of the table, which counteracts the downward force.

This balance of forces is critical because, on a frictionless surface, there are no horizontal forces acting on the object, and thus the only vertical forces are the applied weight force and the normal force. Understanding this provides insight into how forces interact within a system, particularly in the context of Newton's laws of motion.

The representation chosen outlines the essential dynamics of the situation: the downward force of gravity (or the applied force acting similarly) and the upward normal force that the table exerts in response. Hence, it accurately depicts the state of forces acting on the object in this specific scenario on a frictionless surface.