Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated September 2025
Definition
The normal force is the support force exerted by a surface on an object in contact with it. It acts perpendicular to the surface and prevents objects from passing through each other.
Related terms
Weight: Weight is the gravitational force acting on an object due to its mass. It is equal to the mass of an object multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity.
An applied force is a push or pull exerted on an object by another object or person.
Frictional Force: Frictional force is a resistive force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact. It can also act as a normal force when objects are pressed together horizontally.