Question

A table is placed on a rug. Then a book is placed on the table. What does the floor exert a normal force on?

a) Table only
b) Book only
c) Table and book
d) Rug only

Answer 1

The floor exerts a normal force on both the table and the book, as the normal force must support all objects in contact with the floor, making the correct answer (c) Table and book.

Step-by-step explanation:

The question asks what the floor exerts a normal force on when a table is placed on a rug and a book is placed on the table. According to the principles of physics, the normal force is the force exerted by a surface in a direction perpendicular to the surface to support the weight of any object in contact with it.

Thus, the floor exerts a normal force on the rug, which in turn exerts a normal force on the table, and the table exerts a normal force on the book. Therefore, the floor ultimately supports both the table and the book, making the correct answer (c) Table and book.