Final answer:
The boxes can be ranked based on the magnitude of the normal force acting on them. The normal force is influenced by whether the box is on an inclined plane or a horizontal surface.
Step-by-step explanation:
When ranking the boxes based on the magnitude of the normal force acting on them, we need to consider the different situations in which the boxes are placed. The normal force is the force exerted on an object by a surface to support its weight. Here is the ranking from largest to smallest:
- Box on an inclined plane: The normal force is less than the weight of the box due to the component of the weight parallel to the inclined surface.
- Box at rest on a horizontal surface: The normal force is equal to the weight of the box as there is no inclined surface.