Normal Force of an object being pushed

In summary, the conversation discusses the normal force and friction in relation to an 8.00 kg suitcase being pushed across a smooth horizontal floor with a force applied at 35.4 degrees below the horizontal. With a measured acceleration of 1.26 m/s2 and assuming g = 10.0 m/s2, the normal force exerted by the ground on the suitcase is being calculated and explained. The conversation also addresses the relationship between normal force and friction, and the importance of a proper free body diagram in understanding these concepts.
  • #1
diego1404
6
0
You push a 8.00 kg suitcase across a smooth horizontal floor applying a force directed 35.4 degrees below the horizontal. Someone measures the acceleration of the suitcase to be 1.26 m/s2.

Assuming g = 10.0 m/s2, what is the normal force the ground exerts on the suitcase?


So is normal friction opposite to gravity always or opposite of total direction?

Well force of gravity is F=8(10)
Force horizontal is F=1.26(8)

Then what? thanks
 
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  • #2
So is normal friction opposite to gravity always or opposite of total direction?
Don't understand the question.

Friction is along a surface, not normal to it.
The magnitude of the friction is proportional to the magnitude of the normal force to the surface - the harder you press into the surface the greater the resistance to moving along the surface.

In this case, part of the applied force is along the surface and part is into the surface.
Since the object does not move into the surface, there must be a force from the surface acting against the force into the surface to cancel it out. This is usually called "the normal force" - since it acts 90deg to the surface.

Your free body diagram should show the applied force at an angle, weight pointing down, and the normal force pointing up.
The sum of these forces should be a net unbalanced force pointing horizontally.

Hopefully something in there solves your confusion.
 

Related to Normal Force of an object being pushed

What is the normal force of an object being pushed?

The normal force of an object being pushed is the force that is perpendicular to the surface of the object. It is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force applied on the object.

How is the normal force related to the weight of an object?

The normal force and the weight of an object are equal in magnitude when the object is at rest or moving at a constant velocity. This is because the object is not accelerating and the net force on the object is equal to zero.

Does the normal force change with the angle of the surface?

Yes, the normal force changes with the angle of the surface. The normal force is equal to the weight of the object multiplied by the cosine of the angle between the surface and the direction of the weight.

What happens to the normal force when an object is on an inclined plane?

When an object is on an inclined plane, the normal force is less than the weight of the object. This is because the weight of the object is divided into two components, one parallel to the plane and one perpendicular to the plane. The normal force is equal to the perpendicular component of the weight.

Can the normal force be greater than the weight of an object?

No, the normal force cannot be greater than the weight of an object. The normal force is always equal to or less than the weight of the object, depending on the angle of the surface.

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