What is the net force acting on a falling 1-kg ball if it encounters 2N of air resistance?

1 Answer
Oct 18, 2015

color(green)("Net Force"=-7.8"N")

Explanation:

Start by computing for the weight of the ball.

[1]color(white)(XX)w=mg

[2]color(white)(XX)w=(1"kg")(9.8"m/s"^2)

[3]color(white)(XX)w=9.8"kg"*"m/s"^2

[4]color(white)(XX)color(red)(w=9.8"N")

Now let's create a diagram representing the forces acting on the ball:

color(white)(XX)BALL
darrcolor(red)(9.8"N") uarrcolor(blue)(2"N")

Simply add the two forces together to get the net force. The weight color(red)(9.8"N") is negative since it is directed downwards, while the air resistance color(blue)(2"N") is positive since it is directed upwards.

"Net Force"=color(red)(-9.8"N")+color(blue)(2"N")

color(green)("Net Force"=-7.8"N")