How Do Stacked Boxes Affect Normal Force Calculations?

[physicsss]

A 10.0 kg box is placed on top of a 40.0 kg box, which rests on a table.


Determine the normal force that the table exerts on the 40.0 kg box.
Is it 10.0*9.8+40.0*9.8?

Determine the normal force that the 40.0 kg box exerts on the 10 kg box.
Is it 10*9.8?

 

[recon]

Yes, you're right. The normal force is equal to the force exerted in the direction opposite to the normal force (in this case the box or boxes).

 

[M98Ranger]

Yes, you are correct. The normal force that the table exerts on the 40.0 kg box would be the weight of both boxes combined, which is (10.0 kg + 40.0 kg) * 9.8 m/s^2 = 490 N. This is because the table must support the weight of both boxes stacked on top of it.

Similarly, the normal force that the 40.0 kg box exerts on the 10 kg box would be equal to the weight of the 10 kg box, which is 10.0 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 = 98 N. This is because the 40.0 kg box is resting on top of the 10 kg box, and therefore the 10 kg box is supporting the weight of the 40.0 kg box.

In both cases, the normal force is equal to the weight of the object being supported, as determined by the formula F = m * g, where F is the normal force, m is the mass of the object, and g is the acceleration due to gravity.