A block is at rest on a table. A free body diagram of the block would show which of the following? (If there is more than one, you must select all of them.)

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### Question

A block is at rest on a table. A free body diagram of the block would show which of the following? (If there is more than one, you must select all of them.)

- [ ] The force of the block pushing down on the table
- [ ] The force of Earth pulling down on the block via gravity
- [ ] The force of the table pushing up on the block

### Explanation

When a block is at rest on a table, it is subjected to various forces. The free body diagram is a tool used in physics to represent these forces acting on an object. 

1. **The force of the block pushing down on the table**: This is the force due to gravity acting on the block. Gravity pulls the block towards the Earth, causing it to exert a downward force on the table.

2. **The force of Earth pulling down on the block via gravity**: This is essentially the weight of the block, which is the force due to gravity acting on the block. In a free body diagram of the block, this force is shown as an arrow pointing downwards, labeled with the block's weight (mg).

3. **The force of the table pushing up on the block**: According to Newton's third law, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The table exerts an upward force on the block, called the normal force, to counteract the block's weight. 

In a free body diagram, the block would show:
- The weight of the block (mg) pulling it down due to gravity
- The normal force (N) pushing it up from the table

Both of these forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, resulting in a net force of zero, which explains why the block is at rest.
Transcribed Image Text:### Question A block is at rest on a table. A free body diagram of the block would show which of the following? (If there is more than one, you must select all of them.) - [ ] The force of the block pushing down on the table - [ ] The force of Earth pulling down on the block via gravity - [ ] The force of the table pushing up on the block ### Explanation When a block is at rest on a table, it is subjected to various forces. The free body diagram is a tool used in physics to represent these forces acting on an object. 1. **The force of the block pushing down on the table**: This is the force due to gravity acting on the block. Gravity pulls the block towards the Earth, causing it to exert a downward force on the table. 2. **The force of Earth pulling down on the block via gravity**: This is essentially the weight of the block, which is the force due to gravity acting on the block. In a free body diagram of the block, this force is shown as an arrow pointing downwards, labeled with the block's weight (mg). 3. **The force of the table pushing up on the block**: According to Newton's third law, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. The table exerts an upward force on the block, called the normal force, to counteract the block's weight. In a free body diagram, the block would show: - The weight of the block (mg) pulling it down due to gravity - The normal force (N) pushing it up from the table Both of these forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, resulting in a net force of zero, which explains why the block is at rest.
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