6 a pencil is stationary on a desk. which of the following best explains the force(s) acting on the pencil…

6 a pencil is stationary on a desk. which of the following best explains the force(s) acting on the pencil? a gravity is pulling down on the pencil, but it is not strong enough to pull the pencil to the floor b the desk is blocking the pencil from falling to the floor, and air pressure is pushing down on the pencil c gravity is pulling down on the pencil, and the desk is pushing up on the pencil d there are no forces acting on the pencil, so the net force on it is zero

6 a pencil is stationary on a desk. which of the following best explains the force(s) acting on the pencil? a gravity is pulling down on the pencil, but it is not strong enough to pull the pencil to the floor b the desk is blocking the pencil from falling to the floor, and air pressure is pushing down on the pencil c gravity is pulling down on the pencil, and the desk is pushing up on the pencil d there are no forces acting on the pencil, so the net force on it is zero

Answer

Brief Explanations:

According to Newton's first - law, for a stationary object, the net force is zero. The pencil on the desk has the force of gravity pulling it downwards and the normal force (the desk pushing up) acting on it. These two forces are equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, resulting in a net force of zero. Option A is incorrect as gravity's strength is not the issue; it's the balance of forces. Option B mentions air pressure, but its effect is negligible in this context compared to gravity and the normal force. Option D is wrong because there are forces acting on the pencil.

Answer:

C. Gravity is pulling down on the pencil, and the desk is pushing up on the pencil