1. What is Force?

Force is a physical quantity that describes the interaction between objects and can cause an object to accelerate. It is measured in Newtons (N) in the International System of Units.

2. How to Calculate Force

There are multiple ways to calculate force depending on the available information:

Where:

• \( F \) — Force (N)
• \( m \) — Mass (kg)
• \( a \) — Acceleration (m/s²)
• \( \Delta p \) — Momentum change (kg·m/s)
• \( \Delta t \) — Time change (s)

Explanation: The first equation is Newton's second law, while the second equation comes from the impulse-momentum theorem.

3. Newton's Second Law

Details: Newton's second law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass (F = m × a). This is the most common way to calculate force.

4. Impulse-Momentum Theorem

Details: The impulse-momentum theorem states that the change in momentum of an object equals the impulse applied to it. Since impulse is force multiplied by time (J = F × Δt), we can rearrange to find force (F = Δp / Δt).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: Which formula should I use?
A: Use F = m × a when you know mass and acceleration. Use F = Δp / Δt when you know the change in momentum and the time over which it occurred.

Q2: What are the units of force?
A: The SI unit of force is the Newton (N), which equals 1 kg·m/s².

Q3: Can I use both formulas simultaneously?
A: The calculator will use the first available method based on your input. Provide either mass and acceleration OR momentum change and time change.

Q4: What if time change is zero?
A: Division by zero is undefined. If Δt = 0, the force would be infinite, which is not physically possible in real scenarios.

Q5: Are there other ways to calculate force?
A: Yes, there are other force equations for specific situations, such as gravitational force (F = G × m₁ × m₂ / r²) or spring force (F = -k × x).