Q&A for How to Find Normal Force

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Why does N=(m*g)-[F*sin(x)] when Normal Force is with an External Upward Force?

Community Answer

You subtract the y-component of the external force (-[F*sin(x)]) because the force is upward, lifting some the mass off of the surface that it is on, therefore, the normal force would be less. Think about it as you holding a 5 gallon bucket of water above your head, and a friend (an external upward force) pulls up on the bucket reducing the amount of mass that you have to lift. The amount that you have to lift would be the total mass of the bucket times gravity, minus the amount that your friend lifted.

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Question

For an object sitting on an incline, why is the normal force less than the weight of the object?

Community Answer

Because weight of the object is the complete weight that is mass into acceleration due to gravity, whereas when an object is on an incline the normal acting on it is the component of the mg instead of the complete mg.

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Question

How do I find the normal force without mass?

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If friction is the co-efficient of friction and frictional force is known, then N = F/ MU.

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Question

Does normal force obey the third law of motion?

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Yes, normal force obeys the third law and the equal and opposite force acting of normal is the mg (g is the acceleration due to gravity).

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Question

How is resolution of forces done?

Community Answer

A static object has a F sum of 0. Here is the equation: F-F friction force - F normal force = 0.

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Question

If I resolve "mg" then N become mg.cos x. But if I resolve N then N.cos x becomes mg. How it is possible?

Community Answer

You have made a mistake as the normal acts in the perpendicular direction, so there is no component of normal force such as Ncosx.

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Question

What is the reaction force of normal force?

Community Answer

Normal force acts when there is contact between two surfaces. According to the third law of motion, every force has an equal and opposite reaction. Hence the force that is opposite and equal to normal is the mg (g is the acceleration due to the gravity), which acts downward.

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How do I find the coefficient of friction?

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If you know the frictional force and the normal force, then the equation is MU=F/N.

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Question

How do I find normal force without the coefficient value?

Community Answer

If you're learning high school physics, you can't. Check the first page of the reference table for the coefficients of friction for different materials.

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Question

How do I find normal force without knowing mass?

Community Answer

The original equation is F = μN. This equation can be rearranged to find the normal force. N = F / μ

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