Why is a book resting on a table in a state of equilibrium?(1 point)
Responses
Gravity is a net force acting on the book in a downward direction.
Gravity is a net force acting on the book in a downward direction.
The book’s weight and the upward force the table exerts on the book have equal magnitude but opposing directions.
The book’s weight and the upward force the table exerts on the book have equal magnitude but opposing directions.
The book and the table have the same weight.
The book and the table have the same weight.
The book and the table both have acceleration (due to gravity) of 9.8 m/s/s.
The book and the table both have acceleration (due to gravity) of 9.8 m/s/s.
The book’s weight and the upward force the table exerts on the book have equal magnitude but opposing directions.
The correct response is:
The book’s weight and the upward force the table exerts on the book have equal magnitude but opposing directions.
The correct response is: The book’s weight and the upward force the table exerts on the book have equal magnitude but opposing directions.
When a book is placed on a table, it is in a state of equilibrium because the gravitational force pulling the book downward is balanced by the upward force exerted by the table. This upward force is known as the normal force. According to Newton's third law of motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. So, when the book exerts its weight due to gravity on the table, the table exerts an equal force in the opposite direction to support the weight of the book.
To understand why this creates equilibrium, we can look at the forces acting on the book. The weight of the book is the force due to gravity pulling it downwards. This force is equal to the mass of the book multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity (which is approximately 9.8 m/s/s on Earth). In order for the book to be in equilibrium, there must be an upward force of equal magnitude acting on it.
The upward force is provided by the table, and it is the normal force. The normal force is the force exerted by a surface to support the weight of an object resting on it. In this case, the table exerts a normal force on the book to counteract its weight. The magnitude of the normal force is equal to the weight of the book, but it acts in the opposite direction.
So, the book is in equilibrium because the forces acting on it are balanced. The book's weight due to gravity is countered by the upward normal force exerted by the table, resulting in no net force or acceleration on the book.