Compression or Normal Force

Claimed by Hemanth Koralla

F_N represents the normal force

Compression of Normal Force

The compression or also commonly known as the normal force, [math]\displaystyle{ F_n\ }[/math], is a simple fundamental concept that must be understood before attempting any contact force problem. First, it is important to understand that the normal force is NOT a kind of fundamental force such as the electric or gravitational force. It is just a force used to describe the interaction between atoms. As hinted by the name, this force simply points in the perpendicular or "normal" direction to the surface(s) that it is in contact with. The magnitude of this normal force often just the weight of the object, depending on the angle at which object is resting on the other surfaces.

This normal force can also be used to find the force of friction as well. The approximate force of friction is the static friction coefficient multiplied by this normal force.

Equations

The formula for calculating the normal force is:

[math]\displaystyle{ F_n = mg \cos(\theta) }[/math]

and the formula for calculating the force of friction using this normal force is:

[math]\displaystyle{ F_f = \mu_k F_n }[/math]

[math]\displaystyle{ = \mu_k (mg \cos(\theta)) }[/math]

Examples

Time for a few examples:

Simple

Error creating thumbnail: sh: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127

Example 1

On the image to the left (Example 1), find the normal force, [math]\displaystyle{ F_n\ }[/math], that is being exerted on the block.

Connectedness

1. How is this topic connected to something that you are interested in?
2. How is it connected to your major?
3. Is there an interesting industrial application?

History

Error creating thumbnail: sh: /usr/bin/convert: No such file or directory Error code: 127

Sir Issac Newton

The normal force a direct application of Newton's Third Law of Motion. As you probably know, Sir Issac Newton was famous scientist from England who roamed the Earth from 1643 to 1727. His work in math and physics set the stage for many of the principles and theories that we have today. His main work, the Philosophiae Naturalis Principia Mathematic, discussed the many of his theories about physics and stated his three laws of motion. You find even more information about him under the people tab.

See also

Are there related topics or categories in this wiki resource for the curious reader to explore? How does this topic fit into that context?

Further reading

Books, Articles or other print media on this topic

External links

Internet resources on this topic

References

Information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_force

http://www.sparknotes.com/physics/dynamics/newtonapplications/section1.rhtml

http://hyperphysics.phy-astr.gsu.edu/hbase/thermo/thereq.html

Images: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Normal_force#/media/File:Friction_relative_to_normal_force_(diagram).png

http://www.fromoldbooks.org/Aubrey-HistoryOfEngland-Vol3/pages/vol3-401-Sir-Isaac-Newton/

http://www.sparknotes.com/physics/dynamics/newtonapplications/section1.rhtml