Net Force

Net force is the overall force acting on an object, determining how it accelerates or changes motion. It is the sum of all individual forces, taking into account their directions. If multiple forces act on an object, some may push or pull in different directions; net force combines these effects into a single value. A zero net force means the object’s motion remains the same (no change in speed or direction), while a non-zero net force causes acceleration—either speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction. It’s the fundamental reason objects move or stay at rest.