Question

For an object on a flat surface, the force of gravity is 10 newtons downward and the normal force is 10 newtons upward. The applied force is 15 newtons toward the right and the frictional force is 12 newtons toward the left. What is the magnitude and direction of the net force?

3 newtons toward the left
3 newtons upward
3 newtons downward
3 newtons toward the right

Answer 1

3 Newtons toward the right because Newton’s second law:
F = ma
15N - 12N = ma
3N = ma
(With the right being the positive direction and the left the negative direction)