A book is resting on a table in a state of equilibrium. Which statement is true about the forces acting on the book?
The book experiences balanced forces because the force of gravity pushing down on the book is greater.
The force of gravity pulling down the book and the force of the table pushing up on the book are equal.
The book experiences unbalanced forces because the force of gravity pulling down on the book and the force of the table pushing up are equal.
The book experiences unbalanced forces from friction, gravity and the table.
The force of gravity pulling down the book and the force of the table pushing up on the book are equal.
The correct statement is: The force of gravity pulling down the book and the force of the table pushing up on the book are equal.
The correct statement is: The force of gravity pulling down the book and the force of the table pushing up on the book are equal.
To determine the true statement about the forces acting on the book, we need to consider the concept of equilibrium. In a state of equilibrium, the forces acting on an object are balanced, meaning that their magnitudes and directions cancel each other out.
In this case, there are two main forces acting on the book: the force of gravity pulling the book downward and the force of the table pushing the book upward. According to Newton's third law of motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Therefore, the force of gravity pulling the book downward is balanced by the force of the table pushing the book upward.
The other answer choices are incorrect:
1. The book does experience the force of gravity pushing down on it, but it is not greater than the force of the table pushing up since in equilibrium the two forces cancel each other out.
3. The book does not experience unbalanced forces because the force of gravity pulling down on the book and the force of the table pushing up are equal, resulting in a balanced situation.
4. The book does not experience unbalanced forces from friction, gravity, and the table because in a state of equilibrium the forces are balanced and cancel each other out.
In summary, when a book is resting on a table in a state of equilibrium, the force of gravity pulling the book down and the force of the table pushing the book up are equal.