What is the net force acting on a falling 1-kg ball if it encounters 2N of air resistance?

1 Answer
Rafael
Oct 18, 2015

#color(green)("Net Force"=-7.8"N")#

Explanation:

Start by computing for the weight of the ball.

#[1]color(white)(XX)w=mg#

#[2]color(white)(XX)w=(1"kg")(9.8"m/s"^2)#

#[3]color(white)(XX)w=9.8"kg"*"m/s"^2#

#[4]color(white)(XX)color(red)(w=9.8"N")#

Now let's create a diagram representing the forces acting on the ball:

#color(white)(XX)BALL#
#darrcolor(red)(9.8"N")# #uarrcolor(blue)(2"N")#

Simply add the two forces together to get the net force. The weight #color(red)(9.8"N")# is negative since it is directed downwards, while the air resistance #color(blue)(2"N")# is positive since it is directed upwards.

#"Net Force"=color(red)(-9.8"N")+color(blue)(2"N")#

#color(green)("Net Force"=-7.8"N")#

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