Forces Worksheet #1: Calculating Net Forces - Interactive learning activity for students.

Let's solve the Forces Worksheet #1: Calculating Net Forces step by step. The goal is to calculate the net force acting on each box in the diagrams. Net force is the sum of all forces acting on an object, taking into account direction (we'll use right as positive and left as negative).

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🔷 Rules:

- Forces to the right are positive (+).
- Forces to the left are negative (−).
- Net Force = Sum of all forces.

We’ll go through each problem:

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#1

- 35 N → (right) = +35 N
- 45 N ← (left) = −45 N
✔ Net Force = 35 − 45 = −10 N → 10 N to the left

> ✔ Answer: 10 N left

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#2

- 45 N → (right) = +45 N
- 35 N → (right) = +35 N
✔ Net Force = 45 + 35 = 80 N → right

> ✔ Answer: 80 N right

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#3

- Left side: 15 N → +15, 15 N → +15 → total right: +30 N
- Right side: 10 N ← −10, 25 N ← −25 → total left: −35 N
✔ Net Force = 30 − 35 = −5 N → 5 N to the left

> ✔ Answer: 5 N left

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#4

- Left side: 15 N → +15, 15 N → +15 → +30 N
- Right side: 12 N ← −12, 25 N ← −25 → −37 N
✔ Net Force = 30 − 37 = −7 N → 7 N to the left

> ✔ Answer: 7 N left

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#5

- Left side: 15 N → +15, 15 N → +15 → +30 N
- Right side: 10 N ← −10, 25 N ← −25 → −35 N
✔ Net Force = 30 − 35 = −5 N → 5 N to the left

> ✔ Answer: 5 N left

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#6

- Left side: 15 N → +15, 25 N → +25 → +40 N
- Right side: 15 N ← −15, 10 N ← −10 → −25 N
✔ Net Force = 40 − 25 = +15 N → 15 N to the right

> ✔ Answer: 15 N right

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#7

- Left side: 15 N → +15, 15 N → +15 → +30 N
- Right side: 10 N ← −10, 25 N ← −25 → −35 N
✔ Net Force = 30 − 35 = −5 N → 5 N to the left

> ✔ Answer: 5 N left

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#8

- Left side: 15 N → +15, 15 N → +15 → +30 N
- Right side: 10 N → +10, 25 N → +25 → +35 N
✔ Net Force = 30 + 35 = +65 N → 65 N to the right

> ✔ Answer: 65 N right

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#9

- All forces to the right: 15 N × 4 = +60 N
- No forces to the left → net force = +60 N
✔ Net Force = 60 N to the right

> ✔ Answer: 60 N right

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Bonus Section

#### #10
- Left: 15 N → +15, 15 N → +15 → +30 N
- Right: 25 N ← −25
- Upward: 10 N ↑ → vertical force
- But we’re only calculating horizontal net force, unless otherwise specified.

So:
- Horizontal: +30 − 25 = +5 N → right
- Vertical: +10 N ↑

But since the question likely wants net horizontal force, or total net force, let’s assume only horizontal unless told otherwise.

✔ Net Horizontal Force = 5 N right

> ✔ Answer: 5 N right

*(Note: If it asked for total net force, we'd need vector addition — but that’s not typical here. So we stick with horizontal.)*

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#### #11
- Left: 15 N → +15, 15 N → +15 → +30 N
- Right: 25 N ← −25
- Down: 10 N ↓ → −10 N (vertical)
- Up: 20 N ↑ → +20 N (vertical)

Now:
- Horizontal: +30 − 25 = +5 N → right
- Vertical: +20 − 10 = +10 N → up

✔ Net Force: Combine both directions → 5 N right and 10 N up

But since this is a net force, we can compute magnitude and direction if needed.

However, for this worksheet, they probably just want horizontal net force.

But let's see: the diagram shows both horizontal and vertical forces, so perhaps they want total net force?

Let’s check:

> Magnitude of net force = √(5² + 10²) = √(25 + 100) = √125 ≈ 11.2 N

Direction: tan⁻¹(10/5) = tan⁻¹(2) ≈ 63.4° above horizontal

But again, for a middle school worksheet, they may just want horizontal net force.

Given the format, likely only horizontal.

So:
✔ Net Horizontal Force = 5 N right

> ✔ Answer: 5 N right

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🟩 Final Answers Summary:

| Problem | Answer |
|--------|--------|
| #1 | 10 N left |
| #2 | 80 N right |
| #3 | 5 N left |
| #4 | 7 N left |
| #5 | 5 N left |
| #6 | 15 N right |
| #7 | 5 N left |
| #8 | 65 N right |
| #9 | 60 N right |
| #10 | 5 N right |
| #11 | 5 N right |

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✔ Bonus Challenge (Last Box):

> "Make your own diagram. You have to move the box to the right with 30 N of force. You need at least 3 raccoons."

You can draw:
- Three raccoons pushing to the right.
- Total force = 30 N → e.g., 10 N each → 10 + 10 + 10 = 30 N → all to the right.

Or any combination like 15 + 10 + 5 = 30 N.

Just ensure net force = 30 N to the right.

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Let me know if you’d like this formatted as a printable answer sheet!