How is the normal reaction force an electromagnetic force?

The normal reaction force is actually a type of electromagnetic force. It happens because of repulsion between the electrons in the atoms of two surfaces. When an object rests on a surface, the atoms of both surfaces push back against each other without touching directly, creating the normal force. This force prevents objects from sinking into surfaces.

Explanation:

When you place an object, like a book, on a table, the atoms in the table and the book come very close to each other, but they do not mix or collapse into one another. This happens because of electromagnetic repulsion between the negatively charged electrons on the outer layers of atoms.

Even though gravity pulls the book downward, the table pushes back upwards with an equal and opposite force. This upward force is called the normal reaction force. It exists to balance the weight of the object, keeping it at rest or in equilibrium.

In simple words, the normal force prevents objects from sinking into each other because electromagnetic forces resist compression at the atomic level.