Resultant forces

Understanding resultant forces is key to grasping how objects move. This explanation covers resultant forces, Newton's laws of motion, and how they relate. We'll explore how forces combine and influence an object's motion and acceleration.

Resultant forces

• The resultant force is the net force acting on an object when two or more forces are acting in a straight line.

  • If multiple forces act along the same line, they can be added or subtracted to find the resultant force, depending on their directions.

  • If forces are acting in opposite directions, subtract the smaller force from the larger one to determine the resultant.

  • The resultant force determines how the object will move.

Newton's first law of motion

• Newton's First Law states that:

  • An object will remain at rest or continue moving in a straight line at constant speed unless it is acted upon by an external force (resultant force).

  • This means that an object will not start moving, stop, or change its speed unless a resultant force acts on it. This property is often referred to as inertia.

Effects of a resultant force