If a block is on a horizontal surface and a force is applied at an angle, how does this affect the normal force acting on the block?
Practice Questions
1 question
Q1
If a block is on a horizontal surface and a force is applied at an angle, how does this affect the normal force acting on the block?
Increases normal force
Decreases normal force
No effect on normal force
Depends on the angle
Applying a force at an angle reduces the normal force because part of the applied force acts vertically upward, counteracting the weight of the block.
Questions & Step-by-step Solutions
1 item
Q
Q: If a block is on a horizontal surface and a force is applied at an angle, how does this affect the normal force acting on the block?
Solution: Applying a force at an angle reduces the normal force because part of the applied force acts vertically upward, counteracting the weight of the block.
Steps: 6
Step 1: Understand that the block is resting on a flat surface and has weight acting downwards due to gravity.
Step 2: Recognize that the normal force is the force exerted by the surface to support the weight of the block, acting upwards.
Step 3: When a force is applied at an angle, it has two components: one that acts horizontally and one that acts vertically.
Step 4: The vertical component of the applied force acts upwards, which means it pushes against the weight of the block.
Step 5: Since the vertical component of the applied force is pushing up, it reduces the amount of normal force needed to balance the weight of the block.
Step 6: Therefore, the normal force is decreased because part of the applied force is counteracting the weight of the block.
