Chapter 2, Problem 32A

Why doesn’t the support force that acts on a book resting on a table cause the book to rise from the table?

To determine

To explain: The reason for not rising of the book from the tableif support force will acton it.

Answer to Problem 32A

This happens because the force got balanced by the weight of the book.

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

Equilibrium is basically a state of no change in the state of the object. Thus, if the object is in equilibrium, then the net force on it is zero, that is,

  ${\displaystyle \sum F}=0$

When a book rests on the table, then it is in equilibrium. Hence, the net force on the book is zero.

But it does not mean that no forces act on it. The weight of the book always acts on it which is balanced by the support force on it by the table, making the net force on it as zero.

Conclusion:

Hence, the support force got balanced by the weight of the book lying on the table and thereby does not cause the book to rise from the table.