What is the sum of all forces acting on an object?


Quick Answer

According to The Physics Classroom, the net force is the vector sum of all the forces acting on an object. Forces, as vectors, are measured in terms of magnitude and direction.

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Full Answer

When one vector is equal in magnitude but opposite in direction of another vector, the two cancel each other. When all the forces acting on an object do not cancel out, the force is said to be unbalanced. The sum of the unbalanced forces is the net force, and the net force results in acceleration, or the increase of velocity. Force is measured in newtons. If an object is acted upon by an upward vector of 40 newtons and a downward vector of 10 newtons, the resulting net force is 30 newtons upward.

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