Question

A force of 20 newtons is exerted on a chair from its right and a force of 12 newtons is applied from its left. What is the net force acting on the chair and in what direction will the chair tend to move?

Answer 1

The net force is the sum of the forces acting on an object ( chair ).
F net = F 1 + F 2
F 1 = 20 N, F 2 = - 12 N
F net = 20 N + ( - 12 N ) = 8 N
The chair will tend to move to the left.