Question

a container is resting motionless on the ground. which forces are acting on it, and how do their magnitudes compare?
gravity pulling down and normal force pushing up, with gravity having a greater magnitude
only gravity, pulling it down
only the normal force, pushing it up
gravity pulling down and normal force pushing up, with equal magnitudes

Explanation:

According to Newton's first law, an object at rest has balanced forces acting on it. For a container on the ground, gravity (pulling down) and the normal force (pushing up) are the two forces. Since the container is motionless (in equilibrium), these two forces must be equal in magnitude.

Answer:

Gravity pulling down and normal force pushing up, with equal magnitudes.