Question

Question
Two forces act on an object. One force has a magnitude of 30N directed west, and the other force has a magnitude of 12 N directed east. What is the net force on the object?(1 point)
Responses:

18N east
18N east

42 N east
42 N east

42N west
42N west

18N west
18N west

Answer 1

To find the net force on the object, you need to consider the directions of the forces.

The forces are:

- 30 N directed west
- 12 N directed east

Since west is taken as a negative direction and east as a positive direction, we can represent these forces as:

- 30 N west = -30 N
- 12 N east = +12 N

Now, we can calculate the net force (F_net):

\[
F_{\text{net}} = -30 N + 12 N = -18 N
\]

The negative sign indicates that the net force is directed west.

Therefore, the net force on the object is **18 N west**.

The correct response is:

**18N west**.