Where did you get this equation? Resist the temptation to memorize equations from other example problems, that will only serve to confuse you. Keep it basic. Everything is in the vertical direction, and nothing is moving, so sum forces in the vertical direction = 0 , when looking at Free Body Diagrams. Please get familiar with them, as they are essential in the study of mechanics. In a Free Body Diagram, you isolate the system , or part of the system, and examine the forces acting on it, both contact forces (like normal forces) and non-contact forces (like gravity), and apply Newton's laws. Give it a try.becsantos said:Homework Statement
A three-tiered birthday cake rests on a table. From bottom to top, the cake tiers weigh 16 N, 9 N, and 5 N, respectively. What is the magnitude and direction of the normal force ating on the second-tier?
Homework Equations
FN=FWcos(theta)
The normal force is the support force exerted by a surface 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 onto the surface.
The magnitude of the normal force is determined by the weight of the object and the angle at which it is placed on the surface. The normal force will be equal in magnitude to the weight of the object only if the object is placed at a 90-degree angle to the surface. Otherwise, the normal force will be less than the weight of the object.
The direction of the normal force is affected by the angle at which the object is placed on the surface and the direction of the force applied by the object. If the object is placed at an angle, the normal force will be perpendicular to the surface and will act in the opposite direction of the force applied by the object.
No, the normal force can never be greater than the weight of an object. The normal force is equal in magnitude to the weight of an object only when the object is at a 90-degree angle to the surface. In all other cases, the normal force will be less than the weight of the object.
The normal force is a reaction force that supports the weight of an object and prevents it from falling through a surface. It also plays a role in determining the frictional force between the object and the surface. The normal force does not directly affect the motion of an object, but it is an important factor in determining the equilibrium and stability of an object on a surface.