Net Force Calculator

How to Use the Net Force Calculator

The Net Force Calculator is designed to help you calculate various forces affecting a body, such as the normal force, frictional force, and the net force, along with the resulting acceleration. Follow these step-by-step instructions to make the most out of this calculator.

Step 1: Enter the Mass

The first field requires you to enter the mass of the object. Ensure that the mass is entered in kilograms. The input is a numeric value and must be greater than 0, with a minimum increment step of 0.0001 kg.

Step 2: Input the Applied Force

The next step is to enter the applied force in Newtons. This is the force applied to the object in question. Again, input a numeric value with an increment step of 0.01 N.

Step 3: Specify the Coefficient of Friction

Input the coefficient of friction in the designated field. This value should be between 0 and 1, reflecting the frictional characteristics between the surfaces in contact. The coefficient should be precise to three decimal places.

Step 4: Define the Angle of Force

Provide the angle at which the force is applied relative to the horizontal, in degrees. The angle can vary from -360 to 360 degrees, with an increment step of 0.1 degrees for precision.

Step 5: Choose the Surface Type

Select the type of surface from the dropdown options. The options include:

• Smooth Surface (value 1)
• Rough Surface (value 1.1)
• Polished Surface (value 0.9)

This choice will affect the calculation of the frictional force.

Step 6: Review the Calculated Results

Upon completing the input fields, the calculator will provide the following results:

• Normal Force (N): This is calculated using the formula mass * 9.81 * cos(angle * π / 180).
• Friction Force (N): Calculated as frictionCoefficient * normalForce * surfaceType.
• Horizontal Component of Applied Force (N): Determined with appliedForce * cos(angle * π / 180).
• Vertical Component of Applied Force (N): Found using appliedForce * sin(angle * π / 180).
• Net Force (N): Calculated with sqrt(pow(horizontalForce - frictionForce, 2) + pow(verticalForce, 2)).
• Acceleration (m/s²): This is the result of netForce / mass.

All values are rounded to two decimal places for clarity and precision.

By following these steps, you can accurately determine the forces acting on an object and its resulting acceleration, making this calculator an invaluable tool for physics calculations.