What is the difference between the effort force and the resistance force? Multiple choice question. The effort force is force applied by the person, and the resistance force is the force lost in the machine as a result of friction. The resistance force is the applied force plus the force of gravity in a direction parallel to the applied force. The only difference is in the sign of the force. Effort force is positive, and resistance force is negative. The effort force is the force applied, and the resistance force is the force that is working against the applied force