Normal force is equal to _______________a)The net horizontal forceb)Th...
The normal force is determined by equating the vertical forces equal to zero. This makes the vertical forces to go on the other side of the equation. Suppose the L.H.S. is having the sum of the vertical forces then the R.H.S. is having the term normal force. That is the normal force is being equated to the negative of the sum of vertical forces.
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Normal force is equal to _______________a)The net horizontal forceb)Th...
The normal force is the force exerted by a surface to support the weight of an object resting on it. It is perpendicular to the surface and acts in the opposite direction of the force of gravity. In this question, we are asked to determine what the normal force is equal to.
The correct answer is option B, which states that the normal force is equal to the net vertical force with a negative sign. Let's break down why this is the case.
- The net vertical force: The net vertical force refers to the sum of all the forces acting vertically on an object. This includes the force of gravity and any other forces that may be present. The force of gravity acts downward, while other forces can act upward or downward depending on their direction. The net vertical force takes into account the direction and magnitude of these forces.
- Negative sign: The negative sign indicates that the net vertical force is opposite in direction to the normal force. Since the normal force acts in the opposite direction to the force of gravity (upward), it is necessary to include the negative sign to indicate this direction.
- Relationship to the normal force: The normal force is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction to the net vertical force. This is because the normal force is responsible for balancing the force of gravity and preventing the object from sinking into the surface. These forces must be equal and opposite for the object to remain at rest.
Therefore, the normal force is equal to the net vertical force with a negative sign. This relationship ensures that the object remains in equilibrium and does not sink into or float off the surface.