Final answer:
The table exerts a support force of 26 N on the book to counteract its weight, ensuring that the book remains stationary on the table.
Step-by-step explanation:
A book weighing 26 N is placed on a table. In order for the book to remain in equilibrium and not accelerate, according to Newton's third law, the support force that the table must exert on the book is equal to the weight of the book but in the opposite direction. This means that the table exerts a support force of 26 N on the book, which corresponds to option A. The force that the table exerts is often referred to as the normal force, and it is a reactive force that surfaces exert to support the weight of objects upon them.