Question

Newton’s second law says ${\overrightarrow{F}}_{\text{net}}=m\overrightarrow{a}$. So is role="math" localid="1650733973680" $m\overrightarrow{a}$a force? Explain.

Short answer

No, But it is called the superposition force.

Step-by-step solution

Step-1 Given Information :

Given, Newton’s second law states that ${\overrightarrow{F}}_{\text{net}}=m\overrightarrow{a}$..

We need to find whether $m\overrightarrow{a}$is a force or not.

Step-2 Simplification :

When we apply a force on an object, it makes the object accelerating, that's what is Newton's law states where the acceleration is inversely proportional to the object's mass while it is directly proportional to the applied force $F$ and this force is given by equation (5.3) in the form

$F_{\text{net}}=ma$. ...(1)

The net force $F_{\text{net}}$is the resultant force of more than one force that exerted on the object or is the vector sum of all forces acting on the object.

${\overrightarrow{F}}_{\text{net}}\equiv \sum _{j=1}^N{\overrightarrow{F}}_i={\overrightarrow{F}}_1+{\overrightarrow{F}}_2+\cdots +{\overrightarrow{F}}_N$. ...(2)

The symbol $\equiv$means "is defined as", so the net force is called the superposition force.

Hence, the answer is no .