An object experiences a net force of 2000 N to the left. What can be said about its motion?

An object experiences a net force of 2000 N to the left. What can be said about its motion?

• A. It accelerates to the left
• B. It remains at rest
• C. It accelerates to the right
• D. It continues at constant velocity

Answer: (A)

A net force on an object produces acceleration in the direction of that force, by Newton's second law (a = F_net / m). Since the net force is 2000 N to the left, the acceleration points left with magnitude 2000/m. This means the object cannot remain at rest or continue with constant velocity. If it starts from rest, it will begin moving left; if it already has some velocity, that leftward acceleration will change its velocity in the leftward direction (speeding it up if moving left, or reversing a rightward motion).

A net force on an object produces acceleration in the direction of that force, by Newton's second law (a = F_net / m). Since the net force is 2000 N to the left, the acceleration points left with magnitude 2000/m. This means the object cannot remain at rest or continue with constant velocity. If it starts from rest, it will begin moving left; if it already has some velocity, that leftward acceleration will change its velocity in the leftward direction (speeding it up if moving left, or reversing a rightward motion).