An object is subjected to a 10 N force to the right and a 4 N force to the left. What is the net force and its direction?

An object is subjected to a 10 N force to the right and a 4 N force to the left. What is the net force and its direction?

• A. 6 N to the right
• B. 14 N to the right
• C. 6 N to the left
• D. 14 N to the left

Answer: (A)

When forces pull along the same line in opposite directions, you combine them by subtracting the smaller from the larger and keeping the direction of the bigger force. Here, the rightward force is 10 N and the leftward force is 4 N. Subtracting gives 10 N − 4 N = 6 N, and the remaining direction is to the right. So the net force is 6 N to the right, meaning the object would accelerate to the right with a magnitude proportional to 6 N divided by its mass. The other options would require adding the magnitudes or aligning with the smaller force, which isn’t how opposite forces add.

When forces pull along the same line in opposite directions, you combine them by subtracting the smaller from the larger and keeping the direction of the bigger force. Here, the rightward force is 10 N and the leftward force is 4 N. Subtracting gives 10 N − 4 N = 6 N, and the remaining direction is to the right. So the net force is 6 N to the right, meaning the object would accelerate to the right with a magnitude proportional to 6 N divided by its mass. The other options would require adding the magnitudes or aligning with the smaller force, which isn’t how opposite forces add.