Chapter 6: Q.3 (page 153)
Kat, Matt, and Nat are arguing about why a physics book on a table doesn鈥檛 fall. According to Kat, 鈥淕ravity pulls down on it, but the table is in the way so it can鈥檛 fall.鈥 鈥淣onsense,鈥 says Matt. 鈥淎n upward force simply overcomes the downward force to prevent it from falling.鈥 鈥淏ut what about Newton鈥檚 first law?鈥 counters Nat. 鈥淚t鈥檚 not moving, so there can鈥檛 be any forces acting on it.鈥 None of the statements is exactly correct. Who comes closest, and how would you change his or her statement to make it correct?
Short Answer
The book does not change its state of motion, according to Newton's first law. As a result, the book remains motionless."

