Calculating Net Force worksheet - Free Printable

Let's solve each problem step by step. The goal is to calculate the net force acting on an object and determine the direction it will move (if any). Net force is the vector sum of all forces acting on an object.

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🔷 Key Concepts:

- Forces in opposite directions subtract.
- Forces in the same direction add.
- Use positive/negative signs or directions (e.g., East, West, North, South) to represent vectors.
- If net force = 0 → no motion (or constant velocity).
- If net force ≠ 0 → object accelerates in the direction of the net force.

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## ✔ Problem Solutions:

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1.

- A pushes: 39N → right
- B pulls: 29N → left
→ Opposite directions

Net Force = 39N – 29N = 10N to the right (East)

> ✔ Net Force = 10N East

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2.

- A pushes: 24N → right
- B pulls: 65N → left
→ Opposite directions

Net Force = 65N – 24N = 41N to the left (West)

> ✔ Net Force = 41N West

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3.

- A pushes: 13N → right
- B pulls: 16N → left
→ Opposite directions

Net Force = 16N – 13N = 3N to the left (West)

> ✔ Net Force = 3N West

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4.

- A pushes: 29N → right
- B pushes: 30N → right
→ Same direction

Net Force = 29N + 30N = 59N to the right (East)

> ✔ Net Force = 59N East

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5.

- A pulls: 10N → left
- B pulls: 41N → right
→ Opposite directions

Net Force = 41N – 10N = 31N to the right (East)

> ✔ Net Force = 31N East

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6.

- A pulls: 76N → left
- B pulls: 76N → right
→ Equal and opposite

Net Force = 76N – 76N = 0N

> ✔ Net Force = 0N (No movement)

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7.

Forces on ball:
- 45N West
- 40N South
- 20N North
- 45N East

Break into components:

#### Horizontal (East-West):
- 45N East vs 45N West → cancel out → 0N

#### Vertical (North-South):
- 20N North vs 40N South → Net = 40N – 20N = 20N South

So, net force = 20N South

> ✔ Net Force = 20N South
> Ball rolls South

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8.

Forces:
- 12N West
- 10N South
- 10N North
- 9N East

#### Horizontal (East-West):
- 9N East vs 12N West → Net = 12N – 9N = 3N West

#### Vertical (North-South):
- 10N North vs 10N South → cancel → 0N

Net force = 3N West

> ✔ Net Force = 3N West
> Ball rolls West

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9.

Forces:
- 24N West
- 7N South
- 7N North
- 12N East

#### Horizontal:
- 12N East vs 24N West → Net = 24N – 12N = 12N West

#### Vertical:
- 7N North vs 7N South → cancel → 0N

Net force = 12N West

> ✔ Net Force = 12N West
> Ball rolls West

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10.

Forces:
- 30N West
- 0N South
- 0N North
- 30N East

#### Horizontal:
- 30N East vs 30N West → cancel → 0N

#### Vertical:
- No forces → 0N

Net force = 0N

> ✔ Net Force = 0N
> Ball does not roll (no motion)

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## ✔ Final Answers:

| Question | Net Force |
|--------|-----------|
| 1 | 10N East |
| 2 | 41N West |
| 3 | 3N West |
| 4 | 59N East |
| 5 | 31N East |
| 6 | 0N |
| 7 | 20N South → rolls South |
| 8 | 3N West → rolls West |
| 9 | 12N West → rolls West |
| 10 | 0N → no motion |

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✔ Summary Tip: Always break forces into directions (horizontal & vertical), cancel opposite ones, then find the resultant vector. Remember: net force determines acceleration, not just motion!

Let me know if you'd like this as a printable worksheet!