\(\def \u#1{\,\mathrm{#1}}\) \(\def \abs#1{\left|#1\right|}\) \(\def \ast{*}\) \(\def \deg{^{\circ}}\) \(\def \tau{\uptau}\) \(\def \ten#1{\times 10^{#1}}\) \(\def \redcancel#1{{\color{red}\cancel{#1}}}\) \(\def \BLUE#1{{\color{blue} #1}}\) \(\def \RED#1{{\color{red} #1}}\) \(\def \PURPLE#1{{\color{purple} #1}}\) \(\def \th#1,#2{#1,\!#2}\) \(\def \lshift#1#2{\underset{\Leftarrow\atop{#2}}#1}}\) \(\def \rshift#1#2{\underset{\Rightarrow\atop{#2}}#1}}\) \(\def \dotspot{{\color{lightgray}{\circ}}}\) \(\def \ccw{\circlearrowleft}\) \(\def \cw{\circlearrowright}\)
Chapter 1: Equilibrium
9.

Adjustable vs Fixed Forces

Weight
\(W\)
Newtons (N)
Besides being a noncontact force, weight is also unusual in that it is a fixed force: that is, the weight of an object does not change in order to balance the other forces acting on the object. Fixed forces typically have formulas which you can use to calculate them. For example, the weight of an object is given by
$W=mg$, where $g=9.8\u{N/kg}$

where \(m\) is the mass of the object (in kilograms) and \(g\) is a special constant which we'll talk more about later. Thus, a 1kg object has a weight of 9.8N, while a 100kg person weigns 980 newtons.

The normal, tension, and static friction forces, on the other hand, are examples of adjustable forces. They do not have a specific formula; rather, they take whatever values they need to take in order to keep the system in equilibrium, if possible.

Three boxes in a line, each with a doweight of 20N. The first one feels a normal force from the floor of 20N.  The second one has a foot pushing down on it with a force of 10N, and the normal force from the floor is now 30N. The third box has a rope pulling upward on the block with a 5N force, and the normal force from the floor is now 15N.
The weight of the box stays the same, but the normal force from the table changes depending on the other forces acting on the box.

When you place an object on a table, for instance, the table exerts just enough normal force on the object to counteract that object's weight and keep it stationary. If you push down on the object, the table's normal force increases. If you lift upward on the object, the normal force decreases.