Question

A block of mass m is at rest on a rough wedge as shown in figure. What is the force exerted by the wedge on the block?

Answer 1

mg

Answer 2

The block is at rest, so the net force on it is zero. The forces acting on the block are its weight (mg downwards) and the force exerted by the wedge (F_wedge). For equilibrium, F_wedge must be equal in magnitude and opposite in direction to the weight. Therefore, F_wedge = mg vertically upwards.