What is Net force: Definition and 504 Discussions

Net force is the vector sum of forces acting on a particle or body. The net force is a single force that replaces the effect of the original forces on the particle's motion. It gives the particle the same acceleration as all those actual forces together as described by Newton's second law of motion.
In physics, it is possible to determine the torque associated with the point of application of a net force so that it maintains the movement of jets of the object under the original system of forces. Its associated torque, the net force, becomes the resultant force and has the same effect on the rotational motion of the object as all actual forces taken together. It is possible for a system of forces to define a torque-free resultant force. In this case, the net force, when applied at the proper line of action, has the same effect on the body as all of the forces at their points of application. It is not always possible to find a torque-free resultant force.

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  1. P

    Charge on q from other charges given net force is zero

    Homework Statement Consider the figure below, we need to find the charge on Q_0, both charges Q are negative. It is given that the net charge on Q_A is zero. The figure of the problem is attached. The Attempt at a Solution I understand how to get the solution except for one part. I'm just...
  2. DanielleG

    First Year Physics Assignment - Theory

    Homework Statement Answer true, false, or Cannot tell to teach of the five statements below. A) A 2 kg ball and a 3 kg ball are dropped from a tower. The net forces on each other are the same. B) An astronaut stands on a bathroom scale on the surface of the moon; the scale reads the astronaut's...
  3. P

    Determining the Net Force on a Wedge and Block System

    Homework Statement [/B] For the situation shown in the diagram, the block of mass m remains in place on the sloping front of the accelerating wedge, even though that sloping front is frictionless. Given these values, M = 20.0 kg, m = 4.00 kg, and theta= 34.0, calculate the net force acting on...
  4. A

    Net force on rectangular circuit

    Homework Statement Homework Equations Right hand rules The Attempt at a Solution Am i correct for a? I drew my interpretations of the magnetic field around each section. For b) am i correct to think the internal net force in the rectangular wire is 0, and the only force acting on it is that...
  5. F

    Finding the Equilibrium Position for Three Charges

    Homework Statement A charge of 2.21E-9 C is placed at the origin, and a charge of 3.78E-9 C is placed at x = 1.60 m. Find the position at which a third charge of 2.94E-9 C can be placed so that the net electrostatic force on it is zero. Homework Equations Coloumb's law The Attempt at a...
  6. Corey Bacon

    Net force on particle 1 due to particle 2 in vector form?

    Homework Statement Hi all, I have this quiz on MasteringPhysics, but I can't seem to get the right answer.[/B] Consider two positively charged particles, one of charge q0 (particle 0) fixed at the origin, and another of charge q1 (particle 1) fixed on the y-axis at (0,d1,0). What is the net...
  7. K

    Why is the net force on block A twice that on block B?

    www.webassign.net/serpop/p7-47.gif In the figure that I've posted in the link above, it is assumed that both blocks are initially held at rest and then released. Why does block A move with twice the speed of block B?
  8. M

    Calculating Net Force: Solving for Unknowns in Vector Addition

    Homework Statement Homework EquationsThe Attempt at a Solution 38) c^2=a^2=b^2-2abcosC c=([32.0N]^2=[38.0N]^2-2[32N]*[38N]cos125)1/2 c=62.15N sin law 32/sinA=62.2N/sin125 =24.8 or 25 i have no idea how to do the other two questions. please help ASAP!
  9. S

    Calculate the net force on the object

    Homework Statement Two forces are acting on an object and make a 130 degree angle between the two. One force is horizontal to the x-axis and is 13N. The other is 9 N. Calculate the net force on the object Homework Equations Not really equations, but I broke the one force into its x and y...
  10. S

    Net force between two Electromagnets considering Back EMF

    First this Q might be trivial thus apologies. Consider two bar electromagnets that can simulate bar magnets M1 and M2, placed end to end at distance D apart (North Pole of M1 facing South Pole of M2). Magnet M1 is 'fixed' to a base. Assuming both electromagnets have the Current I1 and Voltage...
  11. andyrk

    Integrating Net Force: Limits on LHS?

    We have: dF = (bdx)2gxρ. Now, x varies from h-l to h to calculate the entire force from x = h-l to x = h. So we put lower limit h-l and upper limit h while integrating RHS. But we don't put any limits on LHS and simply leave it as ∫dF. Shouldn't LHS also have some limits? If so, what would they...
  12. 1

    Why is there a vertical force on the pin in this static equilibrium setup?

    Q: Why does the pin have a vertical force in this diagram (Static equilibrium)? The diagram depicts as follows: A mass (M) sits a a distance (d) away from the end of a board of length L. The board has a mass of m and is held to a wall by a pin and string. The string has a tension (T) and is at...
  13. H

    Equillibrium: torque and net force

    Homework Statement http://imgur.com/rWsNsmp Homework Equations net torque = 0 net force = 0 The Attempt at a Solution Finding f1 was easy. f1 = wladder + person = 885.92 N Then the horizontal forces are also equal: f2 = f3 Now net torque = 0 (I'm using moment arm because there is no angle...
  14. E

    Newton's Second Law - Net Force and Constant Acceleration

    1. A 92 kg water skier floating in a lake is pulled from rest to a speed of 12 meters/second in a distance of 25 meters. What is the net force exerted on the skier, with the assumption that his acceleration is constant?2. Force = Mass x Acceleration3. As far as I know, from using the equation...
  15. J

    Momentum and net external force

    Homework Statement In the picture Homework Equations In the picture attached. The Attempt at a Solution For the firecracker problem, I believe the only net external force is gravity. Therefore using, Fnet * delta t = delta p. Change in momentum is 12 kg * m/s. Thus, the final momentum of the...
  16. S

    Calculating Net Force for Motor and Driver Acceleration

    A motor and driver have a total mass of 300 kg . The driver starts moving from rest reaching an acceleration of 5 m / s2. The net force experienced by the motor of the motorcycle is I'm not sure if i did this right cause they give 60 Newtons as one of the answers. I applied Newton's second law...
  17. T

    Find missing force for accelerating electron

    [Mentor's note: no template because this thread was moved into the homework forum after it had already attracted several useful replies] [Mentor's note: Thread title changed to reflect question content] The question is: An electron is a subatomic particle (m = 9.11 10-31 kg) that is subject to...
  18. V

    Coulomb's Law - Calculating Net Force

    Hello all, I am new to the website and I have joined because I just started a Physics class in College and I've never done any sort of Physics and after my first day I was thrown this problem and have been looking at it for a while now and finally gave in for some sort of help. 1. Homework...
  19. Tyrannosaurus_

    Interpret results of suspended mass / tension problem please

    Homework Statement Two masses: m1 = 45 kg, m2 = 12kg. m1 (45kg) sits at rest on a table top with static friction co. 0.45, kinetic friction co. 0.35. m2 is suspended in the air. m2 is attached to m1 by a massless wire hung over a frictionless pulley Homework Equations FBDs, net force...
  20. M

    How Should Forces Be Calculated in a Truck-Trailer System?

    I have a truck (m1,27000 kg) pulling a trailer (m2, 8500 kg) with a chain holding the two together (T). The overall acceleration is 0.78 m/s^2. Find f1 force on the truck, f2 force on the trailer and T, tension force. Here is what I did: since the force comes all from the truck, f1 =...
  21. Diego Fernandez

    Calculating Net Force results in a final velocity

    Homework Statement As simple as the question may seem, I require some honest help. I'm particularly new to physics. The question is the following: A net force of magnitude 4.0N acts on a body of mass 3.0kg for 6.0 s. The body is initially at rest. Which of the following is the speed of the...
  22. D

    How Do You Calculate the Net Force on an Accelerating Car?

    Homework Statement An 850 kg car accelerates uniformly from rest to 33 m/s in a distance of 120 m. What is the magnitude of the net force acting on the car? Homework Equations F = ma dynamic equations The Attempt at a Solution So i think i have this one sorted but just posting to see iv...
  23. M

    Motor Principle and Magnet on Balance

    Hi everybody. This is my first thread ever on this forum :S I'm in a first year physics class, and the other day we did a lab involving a c.c.c (current carrying conductor) and a magnet on a balance. The c.c.c was a wire which completed a circuit. One had a magnet assembly which was placed on...
  24. rpthomps

    Net force is zero between two masses

    Homework Statement The gravitational field strength between two objects is the sum of two vectors pointing in opposite directions. Somewhere between the objects, the vectors will cancel, and the total force will be zero. Determine the location of zero force as a fraction of the distance r...
  25. avito009

    Relation between acceleration, mass, and net force.

    As we know \ a= \frac {F} {m} So does this equation prove that acceleration is directly proportional to the net force and inversely proportional to the mass of the object?
  26. T

    Airplane pilot in a dive, net force, minimum speed, and normal force.

    Homework Statement A 65 kg airplane pilot pulls out of a dive by following at constant speed, the arc of a circle whose radius is 300 m. At the bottom of the circle her speed is 180 km/h. a.) Calculate net force on pilot at bottom or circle. b.) Calculate force exerted on pilot by seat at top...
  27. L

    What Happens to Acceleration If Net Force Triples?

    Homework Statement Suppose that a person is pulling a car with an acceleration of 6 m/s^2. If the reindeer triples the net force, what is the new acceleration? Homework Equations F=ma where, m= mass, a= acceleration, F=force The Attempt at a Solution I really do not know what my teacher...
  28. R

    Where to place Q so it experiences zero net Force.

    Homework Statement [/B] A charge of +2q (a) is placed at the origin and a second charge of -q (b) is placed at x = 3.0 cm. Where can a third charge +Q (c) be placed so that it experiences a zero net force?Homework Equations F = k(Q1)(Q2)/r^2 E = kQ/r^2 Quadratic?The Attempt at a Solution [/B]...
  29. J

    What is the net force on Hydro in Problem #7 of the Net Force Homework?

    Homework Statement Problem #7[/B](Due 9/26 Friday by 8:00 a.m.) Hydro, who has a mass of 45.1 kg, falls straight down 4.67 m to the water below. a. If Hydro comes to rest .543 seconds after hitting the water, what was the net force exerted on Hydro over this time? Homework Equations The...
  30. A

    Basketball player dunk - impulse, net force, GRF

    Homework Statement Peter, a 100 kg basketball player, lands on his feet after completing a slam dunk and then immediately jumps up again to celebrate his basket. When his feet first touch the floor after the dunk, his velocity is 5 m/s downward; when his feet leave the floor 0.50 s later, as...
  31. leviterande

    Current carrying conductor has a net force parallel to earth, why?

    I am not sure if I should start a new thread or revive an old thread this because it is the same topic. Location of tests: Scandinavia I simply want to know why and how a current carrying conductor parallel to Earth surface moves perpendicularly to the current flow and parallel...
  32. C

    Three charged particles, finding the net force on each particle

    Homework Statement Three charged particles are placed at the corners of an equilateral triangle of side 1.20 m (see figure). The charges are Q1 = +3.5 µC, Q2 = -7.2 µC, and Q3 = -5.1 µC. Calculate the magnitude and direction of the net force on each due to the other two. (Assume the +x axis...
  33. S

    Net force using parallelograms

    Homework Statement There are only 3 forces acting on an object. The forces are 20.0 dynes E15°, 30.0 dynes W15°, and 40.0 dynes S15°W [b]2. Relevant equation I've tried using the parallelogram method The Attempt at a Solution When i did the parallelogram method i got...
  34. K

    Basic Q's Net Force and Acceleration

    Homework Statement Homework Equations I am wondering if the answers given in the teacher's guide are incorrect. Ans given for #2: [All same], [A,C,B,D] Ans given for #3: [A,C,D,B] The Attempt at a Solution My answers: #2a: Net forces: A,B,C are 5N; D is 10N. Therefore the...
  35. B

    Average Net force and high jumpers

    Homework Statement A high-jumper with a mass of 65kg just clears a height of 2.13m and drops onto a 0.30m thick landing mat. a) What average net force does the landing mat exert on the high jumper if it is compressed by 0.18m during landing? b) What would be the effect on the force if the...
  36. M

    A man is pushing a box from behind with a constant net force F=146 N

    A man is pushing a box from behind with a constant net force F=146 N parallel to the ground on the level floor, moving it to a distance of 54 m. The coefficient of the kinetic friction between the box and the floor is 0.060. Mass of the box is 92 kg. Initially the box was at rest. a)...
  37. B

    Net Force on a circular current carrying wire, from an infinite wire.

    Homework Statement -I've attached a picture of the problem- An infinitely long straight wire of steady current I1 is placed to the left of a circular wire of current I2 and radius a as shown. The center of the circular wire is distance d(≥ a) away from the straight wire. Let’s find the net...
  38. Y

    Please help - Gr. 11 physics question about net force calculation

    So this thread has been closed and I can't comment on it. I am working on this question as well and am stuck on b). I managed to solve for a) and c) but I have no idea how to go about finding the force normal and do not know where the formula "Fnet= mg + ma" came from or why to use it. Could...
  39. N

    Calculating the net force exerted on an electron

    Homework Statement Given two particles with Q = 2.30 µC charges as shown in the figure below and a particle with charge q = 1.38X10-18 C at the origin, answer the following. (Note: Assume a reference level of potential V = 0 at r = ∞.) (a) What is the net force exerted by the two 2.30...
  40. J

    How to Calculate Net Force for an Object: A Step-by-Step Guide

    Homework Statement Calculate the net force acting on each object indicated in the diagrams. Show your work. Homework Equations a2 = b2 + c2 tanO = opposite/adjacent C2 = a2 + b2 – 2abCosC sina/A=sinb/B=sinc/C The Attempt at a Solution I attached the diagram below, it...
  41. E

    Net Force Homework: Direction of Net Force

    Homework Statement I don't have a picture of this situation so I will do my best to describe it in words. If we have a box that's "swinging" in a circular motion at the end of a string, but at the same time the box is experiencing a frictional force due to it's brushing against another...
  42. L

    Net Electric field and electric net force

    Homework Statement well, I'm solving one question from 12U physics, and my answer don't match with others. the question is at attached file. I do not know how to put it in here Fex = 1.35, Fey = 1.35, and Fnet = 1.91 (45°) this one make sense, however on next one, which is "What is...
  43. A

    What Determines the Net Force on Each Box When They Are Slowing Down?

    So, I am having some trouble with understanding force concepts. I do understand that Newton's 3rd law can be described as "describing the same interaction with the same magnitude of force, but in opposite directions on each object." So, I have a concern with a question that I have on my...
  44. P

    Net force on a charge in a square

    Homework Statement There are 4 charges in the corner of a square with the lengths of the sides measuring 18.2cm q1= 2.34μC (top left) q2=-1.58μC (top right) q3= 2.03μC (bottom left) q4= -3.00μC (bottom right) →Calculate net force on q4 →Calculate net force at the center of the square...
  45. Conservation

    Net force on a Swinging Pendulum

    Hello everyone, Consider a weight tied to a string spinning in a horizontal circle. According to Newton's third law, the force of the string on the weight (inward) is opposite and equal to the force of the weight on the string (outward). If this is the case, how can there be a net...
  46. courtney101ann

    Calculating Average Net Force Exerted on a 15-g Bullet Fired from a Rifle

    A 15-g bullet is fired from a rifle. It takes 2.5 × 10^-3 s for the bullet to travel the length of the barrel, and it exits the barrel with a speed of 715 m/s . Assuming that the acceleration of the bullet is constant, find the average net force exerted on the bullet Answer : 4290 N I need...
  47. T

    Effect of a net force of zero mechanics question

    Homework Statement True or false If an object originally at rest is subjected to more than one non zero force but the forces sum to zero then the particle will not move. Homework Equations None The Attempt at a Solution I say false I think it something to do with angular...
  48. P

    How Do You Calculate the Net Acceleration of an Elevator with Passengers?

    Homework Statement An elevator that contains three passengers with masses of 72 kg, 84 kg, and 35 kg respectively has a combined mass of 1030 kg. The cable attached to the elevator exerts an upward force of 1.20 x 10^4 N, but friction opposing the motion of the elevator is 1.40 x 10^3 N...
  49. C

    Equilateral triangle net force

    Homework Statement Lets say I have an equilateral triangle, and you are asked to calculate the net force on the top of the triangle Homework Equations Coulombs Law The Attempt at a Solution I know to use Coulombs law to find the forces acting on the top of the triangle, then since...
  50. P

    What is the net force acting on the log after 10 seconds?

    Homework Statement Two tugboats are pulling a large log, as shown in the following diagram. The log has a mass of 250 kg and is initially at rest. How far have the tugboats moved the log after 10 s? http://imgur.com/GS7Y80x Homework Equations c^2=a^2 + b^2 -2ab cosC sin A/ a= sin...
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