Why is a book resting on a table in a state of equilibrium? (1 point)
A. The book and the table both have acceleration (due to gravity) of 9.8 m/s/s.
B. Gravity is a net force acting on the book in a downward direction.
C. The book's weight and the upward force the table exerts on the book have equal magnitude but opposing directions.
D. The book and the table have the same weight.
C. The book's weight and the upward force the table exerts on the book have equal magnitude but opposing directions.
C. The book's weight and the upward force the table exerts on the book have equal magnitude but opposing directions.
The correct answer is C. The book's weight and the upward force the table exerts on the book have equal magnitude but opposing directions.
Explanation:
When a book is resting on a table, it is in a state of equilibrium because the forces acting on it are balanced. In this case, gravity is pulling the book downward with a force called its weight. However, the table exerts an equal and opposite force in the upward direction, known as the normal force. According to Newton's third law of motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
So, the book is at rest because the downward force of gravity and the upward force exerted by the table cancel each other out, resulting in a net force of zero. This balanced state of forces is why the book remains in equilibrium on the table. Therefore, option C is the correct choice.