An apple is resting on a table. Claire says that there are no forces acting on the apple because it is not moving. Is she right?
Question
An apple is resting on a table. Claire says that there are no forces acting on the apple because it is not moving. Is she right?
Solution
No, Claire is not correct. Even though the apple is not moving, there are still forces acting on it. Here's why:
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Gravity: This is a force that acts on all objects with mass, including the apple. It pulls the apple downwards towards the center of the Earth.
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Normal Force: This is the force exerted by the table on the apple. It acts perpendicular (or "normal") to the surface of the table. In this case, it balances out the force of gravity and prevents the apple from falling through the table.
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Friction: Depending on the surface of the table, there might also be a small amount of static friction acting on the apple. This force resists any potential movement of the apple across the table.
So, even though the apple is not moving, it is still subject to forces. The reason it doesn't move is that these forces are balanced, resulting in a net force of zero.
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