Normal force when on a horizontal surface

In summary, normal force on a horizontal surface is the force that a surface exerts on an object that is in contact with it, perpendicular to the surface and in the opposite direction of the force applied by the object. It can be calculated by multiplying the mass of the object by the acceleration due to gravity and the cosine of the angle between the surface and the force applied by the object. Normal force is important on a horizontal surface as it helps keep objects in place and determines the frictional force. It can change depending on the weight of the object, angle of the surface, and force applied. Normal force differs from weight as it is a reaction force exerted by the surface, while weight is always acting downwards due to gravity. On a
  • #1
wesDOT
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Could it always be referred to as mg+Fy
 
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  • #2
wesDOT said:
Could it always be referred to as mg+Fy

Thread moved to HH/Intro Physics.

Your question is general and vague. Could you please clarify and list the context of your question?

For example, if the plane is on the surface of the Earth, and the vertical dimension is labeled "Z", then the answer would be No, correct?
 
  • #3
No, the normal force on a horizontal surface cannot always be referred to as mg+Fy. The normal force is the force exerted by a surface on an object in contact with it, perpendicular to the surface. On a horizontal surface, the normal force is equal and opposite to the force of gravity (mg) acting on the object. However, the term Fy in the equation mg+Fy refers to the force in the y-direction, which may not necessarily be the same as the normal force. For example, if the object is on an inclined plane, the force in the y-direction would be different from the normal force. Therefore, it is not always accurate to refer to the normal force on a horizontal surface as mg+Fy.
 

FAQ: Normal force when on a horizontal surface

What is normal force on a horizontal surface?

Normal force on a horizontal surface 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 calculated on a horizontal surface?

Normal force on a horizontal surface can be calculated by multiplying the mass of the object by the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s²) and then multiplying that by the cosine of the angle between the surface and the force applied by the object.

Why is normal force important on a horizontal surface?

Normal force is important on a horizontal surface because it helps to keep objects in place and prevents them from sinking into the surface. It also plays a role in determining the frictional force between the object and the surface.

Does normal force change on a horizontal surface?

Yes, normal force can change on a horizontal surface depending on the weight of the object, the angle of the surface, and the force applied by the object. It will be greater if the object is heavier or if the surface is at a steeper angle.

How does normal force differ from weight on a horizontal surface?

Normal force and weight are two different forces, but they are related. Weight is a force that is always acting downwards due to gravity, while normal force is a reaction force exerted by the surface on the object. On a horizontal surface, the weight and normal force will be equal in magnitude, but they will act in opposite directions.

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