Exploring Normal Force Between Contacting Bodies

In summary, when two bodies are in contact, they exert a normal force on each other due to electromagnetic interactions between the atoms on their surfaces. This force is exerted along a virtual line passing through the particles and is perpendicular to the surfaces. In an ideal scenario, all lines of force are parallel and perpendicular to the surfaces, resulting in a normal force acting through the center of mass.
  • #1
phymatter
131
0
whenever 2 bodies are in contact , why do they exert force normal to each other on each other , i mean the normal force .
 
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  • #2
Yes. If the 2 bodies are pressed against each other, they will develop a normal force on each other.

Cheers
 
  • #3
These contact forces generate due to electromagnetic interactions between the atoms on their surfaces...and the answer to your ques that why they are normal is :

Actually when two paticles exert force on each other they always exert it along the virtual line passing through them ... so in real world imagine a no of particles on one surface and a no of them on another ... these particles will exert force on each other in opposite direction and along the lines i wrote above... now for ideally all lines being parallel (because we consider the surfaces parallel in problems), all lines of action of force are parallel to each other and prependicular to the surfaces......and now we consider the forces to sum up and acting through center of mass ... so we get a normal force ...
I hope u get it now.....this was all i know......if I'm wrong get me know...!
 

FAQ: Exploring Normal Force Between Contacting Bodies

What is normal force?

Normal force is the force that a surface exerts on an object that is in contact with it. It is always perpendicular to the surface and acts in the opposite direction of the force applied by the object.

How is normal force different from other types of force?

Normal force is different from other types of force because it is a reaction force that only exists when two objects are in contact. This means that it is not a force that is applied by an object, but rather a force that is exerted on an object.

How is normal force measured?

Normal force is typically measured using a force sensor or a spring scale. The force sensor measures the force applied by the object on the surface, which is equal in magnitude to the normal force. The spring scale measures the compression or tension of a spring, which is directly proportional to the normal force.

What factors affect the normal force between two contacting bodies?

The normal force between two contacting bodies is affected by the weight of the object, the angle at which the object is placed on the surface, and the coefficient of friction between the two surfaces. The normal force also depends on the surface area in contact and the material properties of the surfaces.

Why is understanding normal force important in exploring the physics of motion?

Normal force plays a crucial role in understanding the mechanics of motion, especially in situations where an object is in contact with a surface. It helps us understand how objects stay in place or move on a surface, and how different forces act on an object in different directions. Understanding normal force also helps in designing structures and machines that can withstand different types of forces and maintain stability.

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