Answer :
Final answer:
The normal force on a 50 kg block at rest on a horizontal surface is equal to its weight, which is the mass of the block multiplied by the acceleration due to gravity (9.8 m/s^2). Therefore, the correct normal force is 490 N.
Explanation:
The normal force acting on a block is the force that a surface exerts to support the weight of an object resting on it. It acts perpendicular to the surface. For a block resting on a horizontal surface with no vertical acceleration, the normal force would be equal to the weight of the block. In this case, a 50 kg block would have a weight of m*g, where m is the mass and g is the acceleration due to gravity (approximated as 9.8 m/s^2 on Earth). So, the normal force on the 50 kg block would be 50 kg * 9.8 m/s^2 or 490 N.
Therefore, the correct answer to your question 'What is the normal force acting on the 50 kg block as it starts from rest?' is option a, 490 N.
In general, remember that normal force will change if the surface incline changes or if there is an external vertical force acting on the block.
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