Normal forces, with the details
A textbook explanation of contact forces, with an inclined-plane example.
Read the normal-force discussion and the inclined-plane example when you need another explanation of why the normal force need not equal the weight.
Open resource (opens in a new tab)Where to focus
Start with the Normal Force section in chapter 4.5. Follow the example involving an object on an inclined plane, paying attention to the directions of the force components.
You do not need to read the whole chapter to return to your problem.
Bring a question
As you read, ask: “Which direction has zero acceleration, and what does that imply about the normal force?”
Then close the reading and redraw your own force diagram. Use the connected lessons and problems below to return to practice.
Source
This is an external reading from College Physics 2e, published by OpenStax. The link opens the source website; the textbook is not reproduced here.