If two forces act to the right with magnitudes 12 N and 5 N, what is the net force and its direction?

If two forces act to the right with magnitudes 12 N and 5 N, what is the net force and its direction?

• A. 17 N to the right
• B. 7 N to the right
• C. 12 N to the left
• D. 17 N to the left

Answer: (D)

When forces act in the same direction, you add their magnitudes to find the net force, and the direction is that same direction. Here, both forces point to the right, so you add 12 N and 5 N to get 17 N. The net force points to the right, meaning the object would accelerate to the right. If the forces were opposite, you’d subtract the smaller from the larger and the direction would follow the larger force.

When forces act in the same direction, you add their magnitudes to find the net force, and the direction is that same direction. Here, both forces point to the right, so you add 12 N and 5 N to get 17 N. The net force points to the right, meaning the object would accelerate to the right. If the forces were opposite, you’d subtract the smaller from the larger and the direction would follow the larger force.