1. What is Normal Force?

The normal force is the perpendicular force exerted by a surface on an object in contact with it. For friction calculations, it's crucial because the frictional force is proportional to the normal force.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the normal force equation:

Where:

• \( m \) — Mass of the object (kg)
• \( g \) — Acceleration due to gravity (9.81 m/s²)
• \( \theta \) — Angle of the surface from horizontal (degrees)

Explanation: The equation calculates the component of the gravitational force that acts perpendicular to the surface.

3. Importance of Normal Force Calculation

Details: Accurate normal force calculation is essential for determining frictional forces, analyzing forces on inclined planes, and solving many physics problems involving surfaces.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and angle in degrees (0 for horizontal surface). All values must be valid (mass > 0, angle between 0-90 degrees).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What happens when θ = 0°?
A: When the surface is horizontal (θ = 0°), cos(0°) = 1, so F_normal = m × g, which is the object's weight.

Q2: What happens when θ = 90°?
A: At 90° (vertical surface), cos(90°) = 0, so normal force becomes zero (the object would be in free fall).

Q3: How does normal force relate to friction?
A: Kinetic friction = μ_k × F_normal, static friction ≤ μ_s × F_normal, where μ are friction coefficients.

Q4: Does normal force always equal weight?
A: Only on horizontal surfaces. On inclines, normal force is less than weight.

Q5: What if there are other forces acting?
A: This calculator assumes only gravity acts. For other forces (like applied forces), the normal force calculation would be different.