Physics – NORMAL FORCE: how to calculate it on horizontal planes
You will understand why N = P on horizontal planes.
We will review the definition of Normal Force in a very visual way (the contact force exerted by surfaces to prevent solid objects from passing through them).
We will explain why this equality (Normal Force = Weight) holds true on horizontal planes (without inclination) using two examples based on Newton's second law. We will draw the forces involved and express the resultant force in terms of the normal force and the weight force.
Finally, we will discuss that there is another way to approach these problems (vectorially) in which all calculations are performed considering the forces involved and the resulting acceleration as vectors.
To complement this explanation, we recommend the following videos from IntroCiencias:
Normal Force and Weight: • Física - FUERZAS: NORMAL y PESO
Newton's Second Law and Friction Forces: • Física – SEGUNDA LEY de NEWTON y FUERZA de...
This video is designed for the Physics and Chemistry course in the second stage of Secondary Education (3rd-4th year of ESO) or for any inquisitive mind that wants to learn how to calculate the normal force on a horizontal plane.