Question

An ant of mass 2.0 × 1 0 −6  kg is attempting to cross a tightrope in order to reach some food. Whilst crossing the tightrope, a gust of wind causes a force,  F w  , to act vertically upwards on the ant with a force of 2.5 × 1 0 −5  N. Take the acceleration due to gravity to be 9.8 m s−2.

What is the magnitude and direction of the force due to gravity acting on the ant?

Answer 1

$$F_g=mg\\F_g=(2\cdot10^{-6})(9.8)=2.0\cdot10^{-5}\ N$$

The  direction of the force due to gravity acting on the ant is downwards.