Newton's Second Law Formula:
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Definition: 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.
Purpose: This fundamental physics principle helps calculate the force required to accelerate an object or determine acceleration from known forces.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The net force acting on an object equals the product of its mass and acceleration.
Details: Understanding net force is crucial for solving problems in mechanics, engineering, vehicle design, and many other physics applications.
Tips: Enter the mass in kilograms and acceleration in m/s². All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What are the units for each variable?
A: Force in Newtons (N), mass in kilograms (kg), and acceleration in meters per second squared (m/s²).
Q2: Does this work for deceleration?
A: Yes, deceleration is simply negative acceleration. Enter the magnitude and consider direction separately.
Q3: How does this relate to weight?
A: Weight is the force of gravity on an object (F = m × g, where g = 9.81 m/s² on Earth).
Q4: What if multiple forces act on an object?
A: The calculator uses net force (sum of all forces). Calculate individual forces first if needed.
Q5: Can I calculate mass or acceleration instead?
A: Rearrange the formula: m = F/a or a = F/m. We may add these options in future versions.