force: Quick Facts

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Last updated

Sep. 24, 2026

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A diagram shows two initial force vectors originating from the same point and forming adjacent sides of a parallelogram. The diagonal, labeled resultant force, represents their combined effect.

A coordinate plane diagram shows three point charges: Q1 at (0.04, 0), Q2 at (0, 0.03), and Q3 at (-0.03, 0). Blue arrows at Q1 indicate the electric field vectors E1,2 and E1,3, and their total E1, all pointing away from Q1 at different angles.

A diagram showing the electric force vector F between two charges, with its x and y components represented by dashed arrows. The x component points right and is labeled Fx = 3.6 times 3/5 newtons; the y component points downward and is labeled Fy = -3.6 times 4/5 newtons. The force vector F has a magnitude of 3.6 newtons and points diagonally down and right from the origin.

A diagram shows a positive charge labeled Q on the left and two dashed paths from point B to point A on the right. Path 1 goes directly from B to A, while path 2 follows a route from B to C to D to A. Both paths illustrate possible ways to move a second charge q in the presence of Q.

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Topics

electromagnetism gravity fundamental force wear friction strong force nonconservative force restoring force spring force centripetal force time light energy radiation chemical bonding chemical element subatomic particle atom electricity liquid

Key People

Isaac Newton

Isaac Newton

English physicist and mathematician

Christiaan Huygens

Christiaan Huygens

Dutch scientist and mathematician

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Sir Charles Vernon Boys

British physicist and inventor

Italian-born physicist Dr. Enrico Fermi draws a diagram at a blackboard with mathematical equations. circa 1950.

Physics and Natural Law