- #1
albert1993
- 18
- 0
So I was wondering what normal force exactly is and why or how it exists. Can someone help me understand it? A link to some page describing it would be great too. Thanks.:)
Normal force is the force exerted by a surface on an object in contact with it. It is always perpendicular to the surface and acts in the opposite direction to any external force applied to the object.
Normal force exists because of the atomic and molecular interactions between the surface and the object. These interactions create a repulsive force that prevents the object from passing through the surface.
Normal force is different from other types of forces in that it only exists when there is contact between an object and a surface. It is also always perpendicular to the surface, whereas other forces may act in different directions.
Yes, normal force can be greater than the weight of an object. This can happen when the object is accelerating or when the surface is inclined, causing the normal force to act at an angle.
Knowledge of normal force is important in many situations, such as calculating the weight of an object on an inclined surface, determining the maximum force a structure can withstand, and understanding the mechanics of objects in contact with surfaces.