Question

An object is at rest on the ground. The object experiences a downward gravitational force from Earth. Which of the following predictions is correct about why the object does not accelerate downward? Select two answers. Justify your selections.A) The bonded molecules of the object are repelled upward by the bonded molecules of the ground with the same magnitude as the gravitational force downward on the object.B)The normal force is exerted upward on the object from the ground with the same magnitude as the gravitational force downward on the objectC) The bonded molecules of the object are attracted downward by the bonded molecules of the ground with the same magnitude as the gravitational force downward on the object.D) The force of friction is exerted upward on the object from the ground with the same magnitude as the gravitational force downward on the object.

Answer 1

Answer:

A) and B) are correct.

Explanation:

If the object is at rest, it means that no net force is exerted on it.

As the object experiences a downward gravitational force from Earth, in order to be at rest, it must experience an upward force with the same magnitude as the gravitational force on the object.

This force is supplied by the normal force, which can adopt any value in order to meet the condition imposed by Newton´s 2nd Law, and is always perpendicular to the surface on which the object is placed (in this case, the ground).

At a molecular level, this normal force is supplied by the bonded molecules of the ground that behave like small springs being compressed by the molecules of the object, exerting an upward restoring force upward on them.

So, the statements A) and B) are true.

Answer 2

Answer:

The bonded molecules of the object are repelled upward by the bonded molecules of the ground with the same magnitude as the gravitational force downward on the object.

The normal force is exerted upward on the object from the ground with the same magnitude as the gravitational force downward on the object.

Explanation: