What is the normal force acting on the object if its weight is 5 N?

What is the normal force acting on the object if its weight is 5 N?

• A. 5 N down
• B. 5 N up
• C. 0 N
• D. 10 N up

Answer: (B)

Normal force is the upward contact force the surface exerts on the object. When an object of weight 5 N rests on a horizontal surface, there are two vertical forces: the weight pulling downward and the normal force pushing upward. If there’s no vertical acceleration, these forces balance, so the normal force equals the weight in magnitude, 5 N, directed upward. This is why the answer is 5 N up. The other options don’t fit: 5 N down would imply the contact force points downward, which isn’t the case; 0 N would mean no contact force while the object is in contact; and 10 N up would require an extra upward force beyond balancing the weight, causing upward acceleration.

Normal force is the upward contact force the surface exerts on the object. When an object of weight 5 N rests on a horizontal surface, there are two vertical forces: the weight pulling downward and the normal force pushing upward. If there’s no vertical acceleration, these forces balance, so the normal force equals the weight in magnitude, 5 N, directed upward. This is why the answer is 5 N up. The other options don’t fit: 5 N down would imply the contact force points downward, which isn’t the case; 0 N would mean no contact force while the object is in contact; and 10 N up would require an extra upward force beyond balancing the weight, causing upward acceleration.