An adult lion standing in Las Vegas has a mass of 210 kg. How much force is exerted downward on the lion by gravity (i.e., the weight)? How much normal force pushes up on the lion?

2 Answers
Oct 1, 2015

F = mg = 210 Kg ( 10 m/s^2) = 2100 Newtons using 10 as an approximation to 9.81 m/s^2.

Oct 1, 2015

The weight of the lion is -2100"N", and the normal force is 2100"N".

Explanation:

Lion's Weight
"F"_"W"=mg", where g=-9.81"m/s"^2

Known:
m=210"kg"
g=-9.8"m/s"^2

Unknown:
"F"_"W" (Weight)

Equation:
"F"_"W"=mg"

Solution:
"F"_"W"=210"kg"xx-9.8"m/s"^2=-2058"N"=-2100"N" with two significant figures.

Normal force is equal but opposite to the weight of the lion.
"F"_"N"=-(-2100"N")=2100"N"