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Physics vocabulary · Motion and Forces

Net force

Meaning in physics, with examples

nounCore term

In physics, net force means: The single force that has the same effect as all the forces acting on an object together. It is the vector sum of those forces and decides the object's acceleration.

In Turkish: net kuvvet, bileşke kuvvet

How it is used

Also called the resultant force, especially in British textbooks. Newton's second law is really about net force: F_net = ma. If the net force is zero, the object is either at rest or moving at a constant velocity.

Example sentences

  1. A 30 N push to the right and 10 N of friction give a net force of 20 N to the right.

  2. Since the parachutist falls at a constant speed, the net force on her must be zero.

Common collocations

  • net force on
  • resultant force
  • zero net force
  • calculate the net force
  • forceA push or a pull that can change how an object moves or change its shape. It has both size and direction and is measured in newtons (N).
  • Newton's laws of motionThree basic laws that describe how forces affect motion: an object keeps its state of motion unless a net force acts, net force equals mass times acceleration, and every action has an equal and opposite reaction.
  • free-body diagramA simple sketch of one object with labelled arrows for all the forces acting on it, each drawn in its own direction. It is the usual first step in solving a forces problem.
  • equilibriumA state in which all the forces and turning effects on an object balance, so its motion does not change. An object in equilibrium is at rest or moving at a constant velocity.
  • accelerationThe rate at which an object's velocity changes over time. It can mean speeding up, slowing down or changing direction, and it is measured in metres per second squared (m/s²).

More terms: Motion and Forces

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