Question

A heavy winter coat hangs on a hook on the back of a door. The forces acting on the coat are

Answer 1

The heavy winter coat hanging on a hook is subject to gravity, which pulls it downward and is balanced by the normal force exerted by the hook, maintaining the coat in static equilibrium.

Step-by-step explanation:

The forces acting on a heavy winter coat hanging on a hook are due to gravity and the normal force. Gravity pulls the coat downward with a force equal to its weight. The hook exerts a normal force upwards, countering the weight of the coat, effectively keeping it hanging in place. This is a demonstration of static equilibrium where all the forces balance each other out, resulting in no net force on the coat.

When we consider the normal force, we are referring to the force exerted by the hook on the coat, which is perpendicular to the contact surface. This force prevents objects from moving through each other and is also a reaction force described by Newton's third law, which states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Hence, as the coat exerts a downward force due to gravity, the hook pushes up with an equal force.

Answer 2

The forces acting on the winter coat hanging on the hook can be broken down into two main forces:

1. Gravity: The weight of the coat pulls it downwards towards the ground. This force is directed vertically downwards towards the center of the Earth.

2. Tension: The hook is holding the coat up and preventing it from falling to the ground. The hook exerts an upward force on the coat, which is known as tension. This force is directed vertically upwards and is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the weight of the coat.

Assuming that the coat is not moving, the forces acting on it are balanced (i.e., the net force is zero). This means that the tension force provided by the hook is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the force of gravity acting on the coat.