Hello, so I was solving this question and I just don\'t get the last part where

Question

Hello, so I was solving this question and I just don't get the last part where I have to solve for the net force. Isn't the formula for net force is (Fnet = F1+F2...)? Why in here the net force has to be minus the two force values and not add them? Thank you! (FYI: The correct answer is 0.000040 N)

An asteroid of mass 58,000 kg carrying a negative charge of 15 HC is 180 m from a second asteroid of mass 52,000 kg carrying a negative charge of 11 HC. What is the magnitude of the net force the asteroids exert upon each other, assuming we can treat them as point particles? (G 6.67 x 10-11 N. m2/kg2, k 1/4 TUE0 8.99 x 109 N. m2/C2)

Explanation / Answer

Force of gravity is an attractive force whereas electrostatic force here is a repulsive force as both charges are alike hence we subtract the two forces.

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