Question

A 60kg student is sitting in a chair and is not moving. what is the force of a student acting on the chair? what is the force of the chair acting on the student?

Answer 1

The force with which the student is acting in the chair and the force of the chair acting on the student is 588 N

Explanation:

• There are two kinds of forces acting on you when you are sitting on the chair, they are the gravitational force and the force exerted by the chair on you.
• The forces acting on the chair when you are sitting are the gravitational force and the force exerted by you.
• As per  Newton's third law of motion, for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
• Hence, F = ma

        that is, F = 60 * 9.8

                       =588 N

• So, 588 N force should be applied from both sides then only you can sit properly in the chair.