Question

When rebuilding her car’s engine, a physics major must exert 300 N of force to insert a dry steel piston into a steel cylinder. What is the magnitude of the normal force between the piston and cylinder?

A. 300 N
B. 0 N
C. 150 N
D. 600 N

Answer 1

The magnitude of the normal force between the dry steel piston and steel cylinder is equal to the force exerted by the physics major, which is 300 N.

Step-by-step explanation:

The magnitude of the normal force between the dry steel piston and steel cylinder is equal to the force exerted by the physics major, which is 300 N. This is because the normal force is the force exerted perpendicular to the surfaces in contact, which is equal in magnitude to the applied force. Therefore, the correct answer is A. 300 N.

If the steel parts were oiled, the magnitude of the force required to insert the piston would be less due to the reduction in friction. The frictional force between the surfaces is typically reduced when lubricated. However, the magnitude of the normal force would still be equal to the applied force, so the answer would still be A. 300 N.