Question

You push on a desk with a force of 120 N to the right. Your friend pushes on the same desk with a force of 90 N to the left. What is the net force on the desk?

Answer 1

So the table desk will move with the force of 30N

Answer 2

Given,

A force of 120 N was applied on the desk toward the right and 90 N was applied on the left.

To Find,

The net force acting on the desk.

Solution,

Let us assume that, for the right-hand side direction the sign convention is positive and for the left-hand side the sign convention is negative.

So,

Net force = +120-90

Net force = +30 N

Where the + sign indicates that the direction of the net force is toward the right-hand side.

Hence, the net force on the desk is 30 N toward right.