Question

Normal force is exerted _____to the surface of an object.

Answer 1

Answer:

The correct option is A. perpendicular

Explanation:

In Physics, the normal force is the component of a contact force that is perpendicular to the surface that an object contacts. It is the support force exerted upon an object that is in contact with another stable object. Normal Force will be always acting opposite to the force falling on the surface. For example, if a book is resting upon a surface, then the surface is exerting an upward force upon the book in order to support the weight of the book.

Answer 2

The normal force is always (underline, bold) is always perpendicular to the surface an object is sitting on. If the object is on an inclined plane, then the normal will not be vertical but it will be perpendicular to the angle of the incline.

The diagram below (left) shows a normal force (GH) that is not vertical, but it is perpendicular to the surface. The object on the right is the more usual normal a mass on a table top.

The vertical line on the right is the normal and it points up.