FBD of cabinet moving on truck

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SUMMARY

The discussion centers on the analysis of a free body diagram (FBD) for a cabinet moving on a truck, specifically addressing the placement of the normal force (N) in relation to the center of mass (CM). It is established that the normal force does not need to pass through the CM; rather, it must be perpendicular to the contact surface between the cabinet and the truck. The location of the normal force is determined through moment calculations to ensure equilibrium, reflecting the distribution of the normal force across the cabinet's base, which varies due to surface irregularities.

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Homework Statement



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The Attempt at a Solution


My only question concerns the free body diagram. Why is the line of action of N not go through the mass center?
I'm very confused about this.
Any help is appreciated thanks.
 

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Nothing says that the normal force must be below the CM. It only has to be normal to the common surface between the two bodies. If you look at how they determined the location of the normal, it was located by means of a moment calculation, in order to get the sum of moments to balance.

In truth, the normal force is distributed across the bottom of the block. It will be very slight at the right edge, and much heavier at the left edge, with higher values where there is a high spot in the contact surface, etc. All they have done is to locate the effective, concentrated normal force. This is a fictitious, single force, equivalent to the distributed force that is actually there.
 

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