Question

An object is acted upon by a force of 22 newtons to the right and a force of 13 newtons to the left. What is the magnitude and direction of the net force?

Answer 1

`F_"net" = 9 N` pointing to the right.

Explanation:

The 22 newtons to the right is stronger than the 13 newtons to the left. Therefore, the net force will be to the right.

We should designate the direction of positive polarity of the right-left directions. It could be defined such that either left or right be positive. Perhaps because I am right handed, or because where I live we drive on the right side of the road, I have a preference: It just feels right to give the positive sign to the right direction. Therefore the second force described is a -13 newtons force.

The magnitude of the net force, `F_"net"`, is the vector sum of the vectors.

`F_"net" = 22 N +(-13 N) = 9 N`

Since this is a positive result, that confirms that the net force points to the right.

I hope this helps,
Steve