Understanding Vertical Force: Exploring the Exciting World of Fnet!

Why do you subtract force due to weight when calculating Fnet?

When calculating Fnet, you subtract force due to weight because it is the force that pulls the object downwards. The net force is the vector sum of all the forces acting on an object.

When does force due to weight cancel out with normal force?

When the forces acting on an object are balanced, the force due to weight cancels out with the normal force. The normal force is the force that acts perpendicular to the surface of contact between two objects.

Explanation:

When calculating the net force (Fnet) acting on an object, we need to take into account all the individual forces acting on it. One of these forces is the force due to weight, which is the force exerted on the object by gravity pulling it downwards. This force is calculated by multiplying the mass of the object by the acceleration due to gravity.

In the equation Fnet = ma, where Fnet is the net force, m is the mass of the object, and a is the acceleration of the object, subtracting the force due to weight is essential to determine the overall acceleration of the object. If the forces acting on the object are balanced, the net force is zero, indicating that the object is in equilibrium.

The normal force, on the other hand, acts perpendicular to the surface of contact between two objects and prevents them from passing through each other. When an object is at rest on a horizontal surface, the normal force exerted upwards is equal in magnitude to the force due to weight exerted downwards. This balance of forces results in a net force of zero.

Therefore, by subtracting the force due to weight when calculating Fnet, we can determine the acceleration of the object and understand how different forces interact to either keep the object stationary or set it in motion. It's the exciting world of Fnet and vertical force at play!