To find the net force on the object, we need to consider the directions of the forces acting on it.
We have:
- A force of \(30 , \text{N}\) directed west
- A force of \(12 , \text{N}\) directed east
Since the west direction can be considered negative and the east direction positive, we can express the forces as:
- \(F_{\text{west}} = -30 , \text{N}\)
- \(F_{\text{east}} = +12 , \text{N}\)
Now, we can calculate the net force:
\[ F_{\text{net}} = F_{\text{west}} + F_{\text{east}} = -30 , \text{N} + 12 , \text{N} = -18 , \text{N} \]
The negative sign indicates that the net force is directed west. Therefore, the net force on the object is:
18 N west.