What is net force?

Net Force

The net%20force, also known as resultant force, is the overall force acting on an object. It's the vector sum of all individual forces acting on the object. Determining the net force is crucial in understanding and predicting an object's motion, as it directly relates to its acceleration through Newton's%20second%20law%20of%20motion.

• Calculation: To calculate the net force, you must consider both the magnitude and direction of each individual force. Forces acting in the same direction are added, while forces acting in opposite directions are subtracted. If forces act at angles, vector addition techniques are required.

• Effect on Motion: The net force determines the object's acceleration. A non-zero net force will cause the object to accelerate (change its velocity). If the net force is zero, the object will remain at rest or continue moving at a constant velocity (Newton's First Law - Inertia).

• Free-Body Diagrams: A free-body%20diagram is a useful tool for visualizing all the forces acting on an object. This diagram helps in identifying and summing the forces to find the net force.

• Units: The standard unit of force, including net force, is the Newton (N) in the International System of Units (SI).