1. What is Resultant Force?

Definition: Resultant force is the single force that represents the combined effect of all forces acting on an object, calculated as mass times acceleration.

Purpose: It helps in understanding the net effect of forces on an object's motion according to Newton's Second Law of Motion.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( F_r \) — Resultant force (Newtons, N)
• \( m \) — Mass of the object (kilograms, kg)
• \( a \) — Acceleration (meters per second squared, m/s²)

Explanation: The mass of an object multiplied by its acceleration gives the resultant force acting on it.

3. Importance of Resultant Force Calculation

Details: Calculating resultant force is fundamental in physics and engineering for designing structures, analyzing motion, and solving dynamics problems.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the mass in kilograms and acceleration in m/s². Both values must be positive numbers.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the unit of resultant force?
A: The SI unit for force is the Newton (N), where 1 N = 1 kg·m/s².

Q2: How is this different from weight?
A: Weight is a specific type of force (mass × gravitational acceleration). Resultant force includes all forces acting on an object.

Q3: What if the object isn't accelerating?
A: If acceleration is zero, the resultant force is zero (Newton's First Law).

Q4: Can this be used for rotational motion?
A: For rotational motion, you'd use torque (τ = I × α) instead of this linear motion formula.

Q5: How does direction affect resultant force?
A: Force is a vector quantity. For multiple forces, you must consider both magnitude and direction when calculating the resultant.