Newton's Second Law:
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Newton's Second Law of Motion states that the force acting on an object is equal to the mass of that object multiplied by its acceleration (F = m × a). This fundamental principle describes how the velocity of an object changes when it is subjected to an external force.
The calculator uses Newton's second law equation:
Where:
Explanation: The greater the mass of an object, the more force is needed to accelerate it at the same rate. Similarly, greater acceleration requires more force for the same mass.
Details: Understanding and calculating force is essential in physics, engineering, and everyday applications. It helps in designing structures, vehicles, understanding motion, and solving practical problems involving movement and mechanics.
Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and acceleration in meters per second squared. Both values must be positive numbers. The calculator will compute the resulting force in Newtons.
Q1: What is a Newton equivalent to?
A: One Newton is the force needed to accelerate 1 kg of mass at 1 m/s² (1 N = 1 kg·m/s²).
Q2: How does this relate to weight?
A: Weight is the force of gravity on an object, calculated as mass × gravitational acceleration (9.81 m/s² on Earth).
Q3: Can this be used for rotational motion?
A: For rotational systems, torque (τ = I × α) is used, which is analogous to F = m × a but for angular motion.
Q4: What if multiple forces act on an object?
A: The net force is the vector sum of all individual forces, which determines the object's acceleration.
Q5: How does air resistance affect this calculation?
A: Air resistance is another force that opposes motion, so the net force would be the applied force minus air resistance.