resultant

Everyday

1. (formal) Happening as a result of something: the storm and the resultant floods. tree →
2. (science/maths) The single force that has the same effect as several forces together: the resultant force. tree →

In the lessons

In formal and exam voice: «The resultant damage was huge». In science (forces), if 10 N pushes right and 4 N pushes left, the resultant force is 6 N to the right — subtract opposite forces, add forces in the same direction. Phrases: «resultant force», «the resultant damage», «resultant changes».

Examples

• The heavy rain and the resultant floods closed the roads. tree →
• Two forces of 5 N push the same way: the resultant force is 10 N. tree →
• 8 N right and 3 N left give a resultant of 5 N right. tree →
• The resultant noise woke the whole street. tree →
• If the resultant force is zero, the object stays still or keeps moving steadily. tree →
• The fire and resultant smoke filled the sky. tree →

Note

Formal. From «result». Rule: forces in the same direction add; opposite directions subtract; the resultant points the way of the bigger force.