I How Does Force Distribute Across Protrusions in a Symmetric Object?

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The discussion revolves around the distribution of force across protrusions on a symmetric object when a 12 N force is applied evenly to its top surface. Participants debate whether the force at each of the four smaller protrusions would be 3 N or remain at 12 N, questioning the conditions of the scenario, such as whether the object is supported or floating in space. The conversation highlights the confusion surrounding the application of Newton's laws of motion in this context, with some participants suggesting the question is incomplete or nonsensical. The lack of necessary details for a meaningful analysis leads to skepticism about the original query's validity. Ultimately, the thread concludes with a consensus that the question may be fundamentally flawed.
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Lets say you have a completely rigid blue-colored object shaped as shown below. The object had one wide protrusion on one side and four smaller protrusions on the other side. Everything is completely symmetric so that the weight would be evenly distributed. Let's say you press with 12 N of force on the top surface distributing the force completely evenly over this top surface. What would the individual force be at each of the four protrusions. Would it be (12/4)=3 N? Or would it have to be the same as the force applied to the top surface, namely 12 N?

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what is on the bottom of the scales? I mean, are the scales supported somehow, or is the pictured assembly floating in space?
 
@Djf321 do you know Newton's laws of motion.
 
Change Newtons into men. You have 12 men pushing on the top. How many men need to push on the bottom, spread out evenly, so that the blue thingy doesn't move?
 
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Djf321 said:
Lets say you have a completely rigid
this sounds suspicious. Actually under the rigid body concept you can not find floor's reactions applied to the chair legs (chair has 4 legs). This is called a statically indeterminate system
 
nothing is supposed to be under the scales. everything in space
 
Djf321 said:
nothing is supposed to be under the scales. everything in space
Apply Newton's laws of motion. With "motion" being the operative word.
 
Djf321 said:
nothing is supposed to be under the scales. everything in space
Then the question is either ridiculous or incomplete, but I'm betting strongly on ridiculous based on the wording. ("Weight" in space?)
 
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Djf321 said:
nothing is supposed to be under the scales. everything in space
Do the scales have mass...?

In either case, the answer is already "neither".
 
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Djf321 said:
So I have a PhD in physics specializing in experimental soft matter physics/optics
This is a very odd question for someone who claims to have your background. Furthermore, the question did not include the necessary information (such as, the object is in space) so that responders could give meaningful answers.

Thread closed.
 
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