A block of weight 4.8 N is at rest on a horizontal table. An upward vertical force of 0.6 N is applied to the block by means of a string. What is the magnitude of the force exerted by the block on the table top?
F = 4.8 - 0.6 = 4.2 N.
To find the magnitude of the force exerted by the block on the tabletop, we need to consider Newton's third law of motion, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
In this scenario, the upward force applied to the block by means of the string is the action force. According to Newton's third law, the block exerts an equal and opposite reaction force on the table.
Since the string applies an upward force of 0.6 N on the block, the block exerts a downward force of the same magnitude on the tabletop. Therefore, the magnitude of the force exerted by the block on the tabletop is 0.6 N.