Tug of War

Combining Forces
 Combining Forces - combining or adding
forces to determine the net or unbalanced force
that act along the same line of action.
 The algebraic signs + and – are used to indicate
the direction of forces.
 Unlike signs are used for forces acting in
opposite directions, like in the case of the book
lying on the table.
Combining Forces
 The force of gravity (Fg) and normal force (Fn) are
assigned opposite signs: Fn is given a positive (+)
sign while Fg is given a negative (-) sign.
 Ifboth Fg and Fn are given a magnitude value of 3
units, then the net force along this line (vertical) will
be:
Fnet = Fn + Fg
= 3 units + ( - 3
units )
Combining Forces
 Ifthe sum of the forces equate to zero, they are
considered balanced.
 If the algebraic sum is not equal to zero, the
forces are not balanced.
 The non-zero sum is the net or unbalanced
force.
 Thisunbalanced or net force would cause a
change in a body’s state of motion.
Generalization
 What is a net force?

(Overall forces acting on an object that takes into account all of the
individual forces acting on the object)
 If an object has two forces acting on it, how can the net force
equal to zero?

(When the forces are equal and in opposite direction)

 Under what conditions does the net force acting on an object
equal the sum of the individual forces?
(When the forces are balanced, and there is no motion in the
object)