Written by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Verified for the 2026 exam
Verified for the 2026 examโขWritten by the Fiveable Content Team โข Last updated September 2025
Definition
Net force refers to the overall sum or resultant force acting on an object. It is calculated by multiplying an object's mass (m) with its acceleration (a).
Related terms
Frictional Force: The resistive force that opposes motion between two surfaces in contact with each other. It can act against or along with other forces to affect net force.
The perpendicular contact force exerted by a surface on an object resting on it. It counteracts gravitational pull and contributes to determining net force.