Force
is a vector quantity. As we will see, force can cause acceleration,
which is also a vector quantity. In fact, Newton's Second Law will
teach us that the force and acceleration are proportional to each
other and in the same
direction.A force is defined to be something capable of changing an object's state of motion. The force may be balanced by another force and cause no change in the motion.
Force
is a vector quantity. As we will see, force can cause acceleration,
which is also a vector quantity. In fact, Newton's Second Law will
teach us that the force and acceleration are proportional to each
other and in the same
direction.
Because force is a vector, we must resolve its components in various directions. Thus multiple forces acting on an object must be combined as a vector sum. The result of the vector sum of forces is the net force.
If the net force is zero, the forces are balanced.
When we isolate a body and sum up the vector forces on it, we call that a free-body diagram. If you want to figure out how an object will move in a given situation, begin by isolating the single body in question and then draw the forces which act on it.
© MultiMedia Physics, 1999