Malia is learning about balanced and unbalanced forces. The picture shows a stack of books that Malia will use as a model.
What is the most reasonable claim Malia can make about her model? Why?
A.
The model shows balanced forces because the books and the table apply an equal force to each other.
B.
The model shows unbalanced forces because the books and the table apply an equal force to each other.
C.
The model shows balanced forces because the books apply a greater force to the table than the table applies to the books.
D.
The model shows unbalanced forces because the table applies a greater force to the books than the books apply to the table.
A. The model shows balanced forces because the books and the table apply an equal force to each other.
This is the most reasonable claim because in a stack of books on a table, the force of gravity pulling the books down is balanced by the force of the table pushing back up on the books. This results in an equilibrium of forces, making it a balanced situation.