Resultant Force

• The resultant force is a single force that has the same effect as all the forces acting on an object.
• If two or more forces act in the same direction the resultant force is the sum of the forces.
• If two forces act in opposite directions the resultant force is the difference of the two forces in the direction of the larger force.
• If the forces on an object are balanced the resultant force is zero.
• A free-body diagram uses vector arrows to show the forces acting on an object.
• If the resultant force on an object is zero it will be stationary OR move at a constant speed.
• If the resultant force on an object is not zero it will accelerate in the direction of the resultant force.