Calculating Net Force: Understanding Vector Addition

In summary, the conversation involves finding the net force of two given vectors and trying to understand why a certain answer is marked incorrect. The person is initially confused but eventually realizes that they need to divide the net force by the mass scalar value to find the acceleration.
  • #1
1MileCrash
1,342
41

Homework Statement



Find the net force of

3.4 N i + 3.0 N j

and

3.4 N i + -3.0 N j

I entered 6.8 N i + 0 N j,

It's marking 6.8 as incorrect. Why? Do you not just sum the components??
 
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  • #2
Looks right to me. To find the net force, just add the components.
 
  • #3
Try 4.81?
 
  • #5
iRaid said:
Try 4.81?

Why?? It does me no good to just tell me an answer.
 
  • #6
1MileCrash said:
Then I am thoroughly confused, I'm getting all of the problems wrong and they seem pretty straightforward.
For one thing, they ask for the acceleration, not the net force.
 
  • #7
So, does that mean that I should divide my net force by the mass scalar value?
 
  • #8
1MileCrash said:
So, does that mean that I should divide my net force by the mass scalar value?

Bingo
 
  • #9
Thanks everyone.
 

What is the net force?

The net force is the overall force acting on an object, taking into account all the individual forces acting on it.

How do you find the net force?

To find the net force, you need to add together all the individual forces acting on an object. If the forces are acting in the same direction, you simply add them together. If they are acting in opposite directions, you subtract the smaller force from the larger one.

What is the difference between net force and total force?

The net force is the overall force acting on an object, taking into account all the individual forces. The total force, on the other hand, is the sum of all the forces acting on an object, regardless of their direction.

Can the net force be zero?

Yes, the net force can be zero if all the individual forces acting on an object cancel each other out. This means that the object will either remain at rest or continue to move at a constant speed in the same direction.

How does the net force affect an object's motion?

The net force determines how an object will move. If the net force is zero, the object will not accelerate and will remain at rest or continue to move at a constant speed. If the net force is not zero, the object will accelerate in the direction of the net force.

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