Resultant Forces
Physics: AQA GCSE Higher, topic 5.2.5
Force and Acceleration
A force may cause a mass to accelerate. This acceleration can be a change in speed, a change in direction or a change in both speed and direction.
Resultant force
- The resultant force is the sum of all of the forces acting on an object.
- The change in an object’s motion is caused by the resultant force.
- If the forces acting on an object are unbalanced (not equal), it means that a resultant force is acting on the object.
Resultant force equation
- A resultant force causes an acceleration.
- The acceleration can be calculated with the following equation:
- Resultant force (F) = mass (m) x acceleration (a)
- This is Newton's 2nd Law.
Acceleration - Examples
A force may cause a mass to accelerate.
Rugby scrum
- The scrum accelerates forwards as the players exert more force.
Test yourself on Resultant Forces
What will happen to a moving object if there is no resultant force?
Which of these statements about acceleration are correct?
What does a resultant force cause in an object's motion?
If an object has a weight of 10 N and there are other forces acting on the object, will the object accelerate? Do we need more information?
Which of the following are true?