Draw forces and calculate net force
See this course’s project requirements
A fictional cart-motion report with position and velocity graphs, net-force reasoning, a mass/acceleration comparison and a checked prediction.
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What to include
- Define a reference frame and calculate distance versus displacement.
- Plot the supplied position-time graph and compute both averages.
- Calculate acceleration from velocity change.
- Draw a one-object force diagram and sum components.
- Compare masses under fixed net force.
- Test the final prediction against supplied data and include changed cases.
Review and revise
Use these criteria to check your work and choose what to improve.
- Method: applies the course-specific rules to the supplied cases with visible intermediate work.
- Accuracy: results agree with the stated facts, units, boundaries and independent checks.
- Reasoning: explains why the result follows and identifies a limitation or unresolved question.
- Transfer: completes changed cases and revises the final project when a relevant assumption changes.
Want more background?
The idea in everyday life
Fictional cart horizontal forces: pull 10 N east and resistance 4 N west. Vertical normal force 20 N up and weight 20 N down. East and up are positive; all forces on the cart are supplied.
A force diagram lists forces acting on one selected object with magnitudes and directions. Opposite forces combine by subtraction under a sign convention. Balanced forces mean zero net force and zero acceleration in the model; they do not require zero velocity. Action-reaction partners act on different objects.
Draw forces and calculate net force — worked practice
A force diagram lists forces acting on one selected object with magnitudes and directions. Opposite forces combine by subtraction under a sign convention. Balanced forces mean zero net force and zero acceleration in the model; they do not require zero velocity. Action-reaction partners act on different objects.
Fictional cart horizontal forces: pull 10 N east and resistance 4 N west. Vertical normal force 20 N up and weight 20 N down. East and up are positive; all forces on the cart are supplied.
1. 1. Select
Name the cart as the object and list all four forces acting on it.
You should see: Two horizontal and two vertical forces, all on the same cart.
2. 2. Horizontal
Add signed horizontal forces.
You should see: +10−4=+6 N east.
3. 3. Vertical
Add signed vertical forces.
You should see: +20−20=0 N vertical net.
4. 4. Interpret
Explain the result without adding an unlisted force.
You should see: Net force is 6 N east; vertical balance does not cancel the horizontal imbalance.
What to finish
A labeled force diagram with horizontal and vertical sums.
Watch for this
Newton’s first-law model permits constant velocity when net force is zero. Force relates to velocity change rather than requiring motion itself.
How can I tell I understand it?
Update a changed resistance without mixing vertical and horizontal components.
Quick knowledge check
Answer all 3 questions. Get at least 2 right and the lesson completes automatically.
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Answer all 3 questions above and get at least 2 right. You can review the explanations and try again.
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Source & access notes · checked 2026-10-01
Web open/search showed the official page, its topic heading and relevant concept description. This is a content/source check, not a provider endorsement.
Access: Official page retrieved with the web reader on 2026-10-01; interactive tools and videos were not certified by retrieval.
Reuse: Original fictional teaching cases, calculations, questions and examples; link and short factual paraphrase only. No copied source exercises or illustrations.
Source & access notes · checked 2026-10-01
Web open/search showed the official page, its topic heading and relevant concept description. This is a content/source check, not a provider endorsement.
Access: Official page retrieved with the web reader on 2026-10-01; interactive tools and videos were not certified by retrieval.
Reuse: Original fictional teaching cases, calculations, questions and examples; link and short factual paraphrase only. No copied source exercises or illustrations.
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