4.7: Solving Problems Using Newton's Second Law: Normal Force
Topic outline
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Otherwise known as the "force of contact", we have the normal force. Here, "normal" essentially means perpendicular. That is, we give it the name normal force to make it obvious that it points perpendicularly to a surface.
For example, normal force balances the weight from a cup of coffee on a table and keeps it from going through the table. This is why we often call normal force the force of contact. In other words, we can say that normal force is the force that prevents two objects from being in the same place. The normal force is often abbreviated as N. Do not confuse the symbol for normal force as the unit of force, Newtons. -