Can the Normal Force Produce a Torque on an Object on an Incline?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around the question of whether the normal force can produce torque on an object placed on an incline, with a focus on various shapes, particularly squares, and the influence of friction. Participants explore the conditions under which normal forces may or may not generate torque.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Conceptual clarification
  • Mathematical reasoning

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that the normal force does not produce torque because it acts perpendicular to the surface, resulting in a zero perpendicular distance for certain shapes, like a box.
  • Others question this understanding and seek clarification, suggesting that diagrams may help illustrate the concepts being discussed.
  • There is a suggestion that the presence of friction could influence whether the normal force produces torque, indicating a dependency on additional factors.
  • Some participants raise questions about specific geometric relationships, such as the relationship between tangents and normals in circles, to explore the broader implications of normal forces.
  • Concerns are raised about how square shapes might experience torque from normal forces, with requests for diagrams to clarify these points.
  • It is noted that if friction is present, the distribution of the normal force may not be uniform, potentially affecting the torque experienced by the object.
  • Internal torques are mentioned, with some participants suggesting that they cancel each other out, while others indicate that internal stresses may play a role in the discussion.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants do not reach a consensus on whether the normal force can produce torque. Multiple competing views remain, particularly regarding the influence of shape and friction on the torque produced by normal forces.

Contextual Notes

Limitations in the discussion include a lack of diagrams to illustrate points, assumptions about the uniformity of normal force distribution, and unresolved questions about the role of friction in the generation of torque.

rashida564
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Hi everyone I can't understand how normal force produce torque isn't normal force acts normally on the plane so the perpendicular distance in case if it was like block will be zero, so normal force doesn't produce torque. "case of box"
 
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I don't have any idea what you are describing here. Can you please provide a diagram?
 
rashida564 said:
Summary:: Normal force producing torque on inclines.

Hi everyone I can't understand how normal force produce torque isn't normal force acts normally on the plane so the perpendicular distance in case if it was like block will be zero, so normal force doesn't produce torque. "case of box"
Are you referring to internal stress?
 
Is all normal force haze zero torque
 

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rashida564 said:
Is all normal force haze zero torque
Depends on the friction I think
 
rashida564 said:
Is all normal force haze zero torque
Here's a geometry question for you: If you have a line tangent to a circle, the normal to the line at the point of tangency passes through the center of the circle. True of False.
 
Yes
 
But why square shapes get torque from normal forces
 
rashida564 said:
But why square shapes get torque from normal forces
Please provide a diagram for square shapes.
 
  • #10
Square
 

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  • #11
rashida564 said:
Square
Who says that the normal force results in a torque about the center of the square?
 
  • #12
How square in friction surface have net torque of zero
 
  • #13
rashida564 said:
How square in friction surface have net torque of zero
Internal "torques" exist in the form of stress.
 
  • #14
But internal torques comes in pair so they cancel each other
 
  • #15
As @dsaun777 indicates, if friction is present, the normal force is not distributed uniformly over the base of the square, and the normal stress is greater near the downward edge than near the upper edge on the base.
 

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