Question

During a three-part circus stunt, a clown holds a ball. The clown then tosses the ball upward. After releasing it, the ball is caught a few moments later from above by another clown on a trapeze. Which set of data could represent the normal force exerted by the ground on the first clown during the stunt? The force due to gravity on the clown is 680 N and that on the ball is 20 N.

Answer 1

Answer:

F = 700N

Explanation:

Since the force on the ball has the same magnitude and opposite direction than the one exerted on the clown by the ball (3rd Newton's law), the 20N force will point downward on the clown.

This leaves us this equation:

N - Wc - Fb = 0

where N is the force exerted by the ground on the clown, Wc is the weight of the clown and Fb is the force of the ball on the clown.

N = Wc + Fb = 680N + 20N

N = 700N