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Newton's Second Law:
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Newton's Second Law of Motion states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. The formula is expressed as F = m × a, where F is force (in newtons), m is mass (in kilograms), and a is acceleration (in meters per second squared).
The calculator uses Newton's second law equation:
Where:
Explanation: The force acting on an object equals the product of its mass and acceleration. This fundamental principle describes how the velocity of an object changes when it is subjected to an external force.
Details: Calculating force is essential in physics, engineering, and many real-world applications. It helps determine the amount of force needed to move objects, design structures, analyze motion, and understand the relationship between mass, acceleration, and applied force.
Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and acceleration in meters per second squared. All values must be valid positive numbers.
Q1: What are the SI units for force?
A: The SI unit for force is the newton (N), which is equivalent to kg·m/s².
Q2: How does mass differ from weight?
A: Mass is the amount of matter in an object (measured in kg), while weight is the force exerted on that mass by gravity (measured in N).
Q3: Can this formula be used for variable acceleration?
A: The formula F = m × a applies to instantaneous values. For variable acceleration, calculus methods are typically used.
Q4: What if multiple forces act on an object?
A: When multiple forces act on an object, you need to calculate the net force (vector sum of all forces) before applying F = m × a.
Q5: How is this law applied in everyday life?
A: Newton's second law explains why heavier objects require more force to accelerate, why seatbelts are important in vehicles, and how rockets achieve lift-off.