Chapter 4, Problem 1QAP

To determine

Whether the direction of net force is always equal to the direction of the acceleration or not.

Answer to Problem 1QAP

Yes, According to newton second law, the direction of net force is always equal to the direction of the acceleration

Explanation of Solution

Introduction:

According to Newton's second law of motion, the velocity of an object changes when a force is exerted on it. This change in velocity with respect to time is termed as acceleration.

According to newton second law of motion,

  $\begin{array}{l}F=ma\\ \Rightarrow \overrightarrow{a}=\frac{\overrightarrow{F}}{m}\end{array}$

It is observed from the above equation that the acceleration produced varies with the change in the net force magnitude and object's mass. Since, both acceleration and force are vector quantities and they are directly proportional, so they act in same direction.

Conclusion:

Yes, according to newton second law, the direction of net force is always equal to the direction of the acceleration.