How to calculate net force with opposing forces

How to calculate net force with similar forces

Net Force

When two or more forces are acting against each other, you subtract them to find the net force, or the total amount of force acting on each other. For example 4N➡️◼️⬅️17N. The forces are acting against each other so you would subtract them. 17-4= 13. The net force is 13N

In the example below 5-3 is 2N so there is a total of 2N acting in the object

When two or more forces are pushing/pulling in the same direction you would add them. For example 2N⬅️◼️⬅️18N. The forces are both pushing/ pulling to the right so you would add them. 2+18= 20N the net force is 20N

In the example below, both forces are pulling to the right, so you would add them. 5+5=10. There is a total of 10N acting on the object.

If the opposing forces are the same the net force would be 0N, so the objects motion will stay the same. For example 🔟N➡️◼️⬅️🔟N
10-10=0

Net force-2N

Net Force- 10N