What is net force?

Net force is defined as the combination of all forces acting on an object. This concept is essential in understanding how objects move and interact according to Newton's laws of motion. When multiple forces are applied to an object, they can either reinforce or counteract each other. To determine the net force, one adds up all the individual forces, taking into account their directions, to find the overall force that will affect the object's motion.

For example, if one force is pushing an object to the right and another is pulling it to the left with a different magnitude, the net force will reflect the difference between these two forces. This net force dictates whether the object will accelerate, decelerate, or remain in a state of rest. Understanding net force is crucial for predicting motion and analyzing the effects of various forces on an object.