Calculating Net Force

Front

What is net force?

Back

Net force is the overall force acting on an object when all the individual forces are combined. It determines the object's motion.

Front

How do you calculate net force when forces are in the same direction?

Back

Add the magnitudes of the forces together.

Front

How do you calculate net force when forces are in opposite directions?

Back

Subtract the smaller force from the larger force and take the direction of the larger force.

Front

What does it mean if the net force is zero?

Back

If the net force is zero, the object is in a state of equilibrium, meaning it is either at rest or moving at a constant velocity.

Front

What is a balanced force?

Back

Balanced forces are equal in size and opposite in direction, resulting in a net force of zero.

Front

What is an unbalanced force?

Back

Unbalanced forces are not equal and opposite, resulting in a net force that causes a change in motion.

Front

If an object has a net force of 5 N to the right, what can we infer about the forces acting on it?

Back

There is a greater force acting to the right than the forces acting to the left, resulting in a net force of 5 N to the right.

Front

Calculate the net force: 8 N to the left and 4 N to the right.

Back

Net force = 8 N Left - 4 N Right = 4 N Left.

Front

What is the net force if two forces of 10 N and 5 N are acting in the same direction?

Back

Net force = 10 N + 5 N = 15 N in the same direction.

Front

What happens to the net force if two equal forces act in opposite directions?

Back

The net force is zero, as the forces cancel each other out.