When an object exerts a normal force on a surface, the force is
My answer is perpendicular to the surface. Am i correct?
Yes. The "normal" force is the perpendicular component. There can be a parallel component as well.
Yes, you are correct. When an object exerts a normal force on a surface, the force is indeed perpendicular to the surface.
To understand why, we need to consider the nature of the normal force. The normal force is the force exerted by a surface to support the weight of an object resting on it. It acts perpendicularly to the surface, pushing back against the force of gravity.
To visualize this, imagine placing an object, such as a book, on a table. The weight of the book due to gravity acts vertically downward, and in response, the table exerts an equal and opposite force called the normal force. This normal force is directed perpendicularly to the table's surface, preventing the book from sinking into the table or falling through it.
In summary, the normal force is always directed perpendicular to the surface because its purpose is to counteract the gravitational force and support the weight of an object on a surface.