When two rocks or bodies are pressed against each other a force is experienced. What is it called and it's principle of Action and Operation and what instrument is used in measuring the Force. Explain in detail along with mathematical expressions.

Answer 1

When two rocks or bodies are pressed against each other, the force experienced is called the normal force. The principle of action and operation states that every force has an equal and opposite reaction force. In this case, when the two bodies exert a force on each other due to their weight or any external force, the normal force acts as a reaction force.

The normal force is typically measured using an instrument called a force sensor or force gauge. This instrument utilizes Hooke's Law, which states that the force needed to extend or compress a spring is directly proportional to the distance it is stretched or compressed.

By attaching the force sensor or force gauge to one of the bodies, the force exerted by the other body can be measured. The force sensor converts the force into an electrical signal, which is then displayed on a digital screen or recorded for further analysis.

Mathematically, the normal force can be represented as:

N = mg

where N is the normal force, m is the mass of the body, and g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximately 9.8 m/s² on Earth). This equation assumes that the two bodies are in contact and not accelerating vertically.

If the two bodies are inclined or on an incline plane, the normal force can be calculated using trigonometry. In this case, the normal force is the component of the weight perpendicular to the incline. The equation becomes:

N = mg * cos(θ)

where θ is the angle of inclination.

It is worth noting that the normal force can vary depending on the characteristics of the surfaces in contact. If there are frictional forces present, the normal force may be affected. However, the measurement of the normal force itself does not depend on the presence or absence of friction.