Question

John and Daniel are playing tug-of-war together. John is exerting 10 N of force. Daniel is exerting 12 N of force. What is their net force?

Answer 1

`2N` in Daniel's direction

Explanation:

A force is a push or pull factor. Net force is the sum of all forces acting upon an object. For instance, if the thrust of a car on a horizontal surface was equal to `1000N` forwards, and the drag was equal to `800N` backwards, the net force would be
`1000 +(-800)`
`=1000-800`
`=200N` forwards.

However, if the thrust was equal to `800N` forward, and the drag was equal to `1000N` backward, the net force would be
`800+(-1000)`
`=800-1000`
`=-200`
`=200N` backwards. We don't say `-200N` backwards, because that is the same as saying `200N` forwards. We could say `-200N` forwards, because that is the same as `200N` backwards, but in this example I have chosen not to.

In the question, there are two forces acting upon an object. One is John's force of `10N`, and the other is Daniel's opposite force of `12N`. Add them together and you get
`10+(-12)`
`=10-12`
`=-2`
`=2N` in Daniel's direction (remembering this is the same as `-2N` in John's direction).

I hope I helped!