3.
Two blocks are kept in contact on a smooth surface as
shown in figure. Draw normal force exerted by
A on B.
Sol. In above problem, block A does not push block B, so
there is no molecular interaction between A and B.
Hence normal force exerted by A on B is zero.
 Note :
• Normal is a dependent force it comes in role when
one surface presses the other.
(b) Tension :
Tension is the magnitude of pulling force exerted by a
string, cable, chain, rope etc. W hen a string is
connected to a body and pulled out, the string said to
be under tension. It pulls the body with a force T, whose
direction is away from the body and along the length of
the string. Usually strings are regarded to be massless
and unstretchable, known as ideal string.
 Note : (i) Tension in a string is an electromagnetic
force and it arises only when string is pulled. If a
massless string is not pulled, tension in it is zero.
(ii) String can not push a body in direct contact.
(c) Force Exerted by spring :
A spring is made of a coiled metallic wire having a
definite length. When it is neither pushed nor pulled
then its length is called natural length.
At natural length the spring does not exert any force on
the objects attached to its ends.f the spring is pulled
at the ends, its length becomes larger than its natural
length, it is known as stretched or extended spring.
Extended spring pulls objects attached to its ends.
A B
Normal spring
Spring force on A Spring force on B
A B
Stretched spring
Spring force on A Spring force on B
A B
Compressed spring
If the spring is pushed at the ends, its length becomes
less than natural length. It is known as compressed
spring. A compressed spring pushes the objects
attached to its ends.
F = 0 spring in natural
length does not exerts
any force on its ends
x
Fext
F F
F = – kx ;k = spring
constant or stiffness
constant (unit = N/m)
x = extension in spring
x
F
F
Fext
F = – kx
x = compression in spring
 Note : Spring force is also electromagnetic in nature :
(d) Friction force :
When a body is moving on a rough surface resistance
to the motion occurs because of the interaction
between the body and its surroundings. We call such
resistance as force of friction. Friction is also
considered as component of contact force which acts
parallel to the surfaces in contact.
(i) Origin of friction : The frictional force arises due to
molecular interactions between the surfaces at the
points of actual contact. When two bodies are placed
one over other, the actual area of contact is much
smaller then the total surface areas of bodies. The
molecular forces starts operating at the actual points
of contact of the surfaces. Molecular bonds are formed
at these contact points. When one body is pulled over
the other, these bonds are broken, and the material
get deformed and new bonds are formed. The local
deformation sends vibrations into the bodies. These
Vibrations ultimately dumps out and energy of
vibrations appears as heat. Hence to start or carry on
the motion, there is a need of force.
Body 1
Body 2
Actual area of contact
(ii) Statics and Kinetic Frictions :
• Experiment :
(A) Consider a block placed on a table, and a small
force F1 is acted on it. The block does not move. It
indicates that the frictional force fs starts acting in
opposite direction of applied force and its magnitude
is equal of F1(figure b). That is for the equilibrium of
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