Final answer:
The normal force on an object at rest on a horizontal surface is equal to its weight, calculated as the product of its mass and the gravitational acceleration (9.8 m/s²). The normal force experienced by each box is the weight of itself and any boxes above it. To find the normal forces on m3, m2, and m1, multiply each of their effective masses by 9.8 m/s².
Step-by-step explanation:
The question involves finding the normal force exerted on each of three stacked boxes (m3 on top, m2 in the middle, m1 at the bottom) by the surface or the box immediately below each one. The normal force is equal to the weight of the object when it is at rest on a horizontal surface without any additional vertical forces applied. Weight is calculated using the equation W = mg, where W is weight, m is mass, and g is the acceleration due to gravity, which is approximately 9.8 m/s².
The normal force on m3 is the force exerted by m2 on m3. Since m3 is on top, only its own weight acts downward, so the normal force is F = m3 × g. Using the mass of m3 (37 kg), the calculation is F = 37 kg × 9.8 m/s², giving us the normal force on m3. Similarly, the normal force on m2 is the weight of m2 (24 kg) plus the weight of m3 (37 kg), all multiplied by g. Finally, the normal force on m1 is the combined weight of all three masses multiplied by g.
Therefore, the correct answers are:
- Normal force on m3: Fm3 = 37 kg × 9.8 m/s²
- Normal force on m2: Fm2 = (24 kg + 37 kg) × 9.8 m/s²
- Normal force on m1: Fm1 = (12 kg + 24 kg + 37 kg) × 9.8 m/s²
After calculating each of these, we will get the actual values in Newtons (N), which represent the normal forces exerted by each surface on the respective mass above it.