A book is resting on a table in a state of equilibrium. Which statement is true about the forces acting on the book? (1 point)
Responses
The book experiences unbalanced forces from friction, gravity and the table.
The book experiences unbalanced forces from friction, gravity and the table.
The book experiences balanced forces because the force of gravity pushing down on the book is greater.
The book experiences balanced forces because the force of gravity pushing down on the book is greater.
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 because the force of gravity pulling down on the book and the force of the table pushing up are equal.
The force of gravity pulling down the book and the force of the table pushing up on the book are equal.
The force of gravity pulling down the book and the force of the table pushing up on the book are equal.
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 book experiences balanced forces because the force of gravity pushing down on the book is greater."
To understand why, let's break down the forces acting on the book:
1. Gravity: There is a downward force of gravity acting on the book. Gravity is the force that pulls objects towards the center of the Earth. In this case, gravity is pulling the book downward.
2. Friction: Friction is the force that acts between two surfaces in contact, opposing motion. Since the book is at rest on the table, the force of friction is balanced and not causing any movement.
3. Table: The table exerts an upwards force on the book, called the normal force. This force counteracts the force of gravity, providing support to keep the book from falling through the table.
In a state of equilibrium, like in this case, the sum of all the forces acting on the book is zero. This means that the forces pulling the book downward (gravity) are equal to the forces pushing the book upward (normal force from the table).
Therefore, the book experiences balanced forces because the force of gravity pushing down on the book is greater.