What does the term "net force" refer to in physics?

The term "net force" in physics refers to the combination of all the forces acting on an object. When multiple forces are applied to an object, some may push it in one direction while others may pull it in another. The net force is essentially the vector sum of these individual forces, which determines the object's overall motion. If the net force is zero, the object will not accelerate, indicating that it is either at rest or moving with constant velocity. If there is a net force greater than zero, the object will accelerate in the direction of that net force. Understanding net force is crucial in analyzing how an object will move resulting from all the forces acting on it.