Question

what happens when you push a stationary skateboard, and it starts to move? the skateboard and the direction it is pushed is shown. gravity pulls the skateboard down. friction moves the skateboard to the left. an applied force moves the skateboard to the right. a normal force stops the skateboard from moving.

Explanation:

When you push a stationary skateboard, the force you apply (an applied force) causes it to move. Gravity acts downward (as shown by the arrow), but it doesn't make the skateboard move horizontally. Friction would act against the motion (not in the direction of initial movement here). The normal force is perpendicular to the surface (countering gravity vertically) and doesn't stop the skateboard's horizontal motion when first pushed. The key is that the applied force in the direction of push (as per the problem's context of starting to move) is what initiates the motion.

Answer:

An applied force moves the skateboard to the right.