What is the force on the resting ball from the two wooden boards?

[joel amos]

Homework Statement

View the file below. Disregarding friction, how much force does each board of wood put on the 100 N ball?
http://desmond.imageshack.us/Himg841/scaled.php?server=841&filename=physics.jpg&res=landing

 

[CWatters]

Have a go yourself first.

 

[joel amos]

I got 70.71 N by doing 100cos(45). I have no idea whether or not this is correct.

 

[Chestermiller]

I got 70.71 N by doing 100cos(45). I have no idea whether or not this is correct.

There are two boards exerting contact forces on the ball. Call these each F. Draw a free body diagram, and write down the equations in order for the ball to be in equilibrium.

 

[Nickie]

The force on the resting ball from the two wooden boards can be determined using Newton's Third Law of Motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. In this case, the action is the weight of the ball pressing down on the boards, and the reaction is the force exerted by the boards on the ball.

Since the ball is at rest, the net force on the ball must be zero. This means that the force exerted by the boards on the ball must also be equal and opposite to the weight of the ball. Therefore, each board of wood exerts a force of 50 N on the ball (100 N divided by 2 boards).

It is important to note that this calculation assumes that there is no friction between the ball and the boards. If there is friction present, the force exerted by the boards may be slightly different. Overall, the force on the ball from the two wooden boards can be determined by considering the weight of the ball and applying Newton's Third Law.