AllMyCalculators

Normal Force Calculator

Works out how hard a surface pushes back.

°

Zero for flat ground.

Negative if it pulls away. Count only the part at right angles to the surface.

m/s²

Standard Earth gravity is 9.80665. The Moon is about 1.62 and Mars about 3.71.

Normal force
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Weight —
Weight along the slope —
Reading this —

The formula

N = m g cos θ + extra force

The normal force balances whatever presses the object into the surface, at right angles to it.

What to watch out for

Friction limits are worked out from this force, so it is usually the first step on a slope.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is normal force always equal to weight?

Only on flat ground with nothing else pressing. A 10 kg mass has a normal force of 98.07 N on the flat and 84.93 N on a 30° slope.

Why “normal”?

In geometry, normal means at right angles. The force acts at right angles to the surface.