Net Force Physics Example 4

Follow the full solution, then compare it with the other examples linked below.

Example 4

easy
A 10 kg10 \text{ kg} sled accelerates east at 1.5 m/s21.5 \text{ m/s}^2. What is the net force on the sled?

Solution

  1. 1
    Use Newton's second law: Fnet=maF_{\text{net}} = ma
  2. 2
    Substitute: Fnet=10×1.5=15 NF_{\text{net}} = 10 \times 1.5 = 15 \text{ N}
  3. 3
    The force points in the direction of the acceleration, so it is east.

Answer

Fnet=15 N eastF_{\text{net}} = 15 \text{ N east}
Net force and acceleration always point in the same direction. Once the mass and acceleration are known, the net force follows immediately from F=maF = ma.

About Net Force

The single resultant force obtained by vector addition of all individual forces acting on an object, which alone determines the object's acceleration according to Newton's.

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More Net Force Examples

Example 1 easy

Three forces act on an object: [formula] right, [formula] left, and [formula] left. What is the net

Example 2 medium

Two perpendicular forces act on an object: [formula] east and [formula] north. What is the magnitude

Example 3 medium

A [formula] object experiences forces of [formula] forward and [formula] backward. What is the net f

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