why is a book resting on a table in a state of equilibrium?
gravity is a net force acting on the book in a downward direction
the book and the table both have acceleration (due to gravity) of 9.8 m/s/s/
the book and the table have the same weight
the book's weight and the upward force the table exerts on the book have equal magnitude but opposing directions.
The book is in a state of equilibrium because the forces acting on it are balanced.
Gravity is indeed a net force acting on the book in a downward direction, but in order for the book to be in equilibrium, there must be an equal and opposite force acting on it. This force is provided by the table.
Both the book and the table have acceleration due to gravity of 9.8 m/s^2, but this acceleration does not affect their equilibrium state. What matters is that the forces are balanced and cancel each other out.
The book's weight is equal to the force of gravity acting on it, and the upward force that the table exerts on the book also has the same magnitude but in the opposite direction. These two forces cancel each other out, resulting in a state of equilibrium for the book on the table.