Understanding Normal Force and Applied Force in Physics
What is the normal force acting on a barbell when an upward force is applied?
A barbell that has a weight of 781 newtons is resting on the ground. A person applies a force of 489 newtons vertically upward on the barbell, but the barbell remains stationary. What is the normal force acting on the barbell? Express your answer in newtons to 0 decimal places. Do not include units in your answer.
Answer:
The normal force on a barbell of weight 781 newtons, with an applied upward force of 489 newtons and remaining stationary, is 292 newtons.
Understanding the concept of normal force in physics is crucial in determining the equilibrium of an object under the influence of external forces. In this scenario, we have a barbell with a weight of 781 newtons resting on the ground. When a person applies an upward force of 489 newtons on the barbell, the normal force acting on the barbell can be calculated.
The normal force is essentially the support force exerted by a surface to prevent an object from sinking into it or falling through it. In this case, since the barbell is stationary, the normal force must balance out the applied force to maintain equilibrium.
Initially, the normal force acting on the barbell is equal to its weight, which is 781 newtons. When the person applies an upward force of 489 newtons, the net force on the barbell is the difference between its weight and the applied force: 781N - 489N = 292 newtons.
Since the barbell is not accelerating vertically, the normal force must equal the net force acting on it, which is 292 newtons in this case. Therefore, the normal force on the barbell is 292 newtons to maintain its stationary position.