What is a net force?

1 Answer
Oct 8, 2015

The sum of all of the forces acting on an object.

Explanation:

Forces are vectors, that means that they have a magnitude and a direction. So, you have to use vector addition when you are adding forces together.

Sometimes it is easier to add the x-component and y-components of the forces.

#F_x = sum F_{x_1} + F_{x_2} + F_{x_3} ...#
#F_y = sum F_{y_1} + F_{y_2} + F_{y_3} ...#