Force Formula:
From: | To: |
Definition: Newton's second law of motion states that force equals mass times acceleration (F = m × a).
Purpose: This fundamental physics equation helps calculate the force needed to accelerate an object or determine acceleration from a known force.
The calculator uses the formula:
Where:
Explanation: The mass of an object multiplied by its acceleration gives the force required to produce that acceleration.
Details: Understanding force is crucial for engineering, vehicle safety, sports science, and many everyday applications involving motion.
Tips: Enter the mass in kilograms and acceleration in m/s². Both values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What is a Newton (unit of force)?
A: One Newton is the force needed to accelerate 1 kg of mass at 1 m/s².
Q2: Does this work for deceleration?
A: Yes, deceleration is just negative acceleration - use a negative value for a.
Q3: How does gravity relate to this?
A: On Earth, gravitational acceleration is ~9.81 m/s² downward.
Q4: Can I use pounds instead of kilograms?
A: First convert pounds to kg (1 lb ≈ 0.4536 kg) for accurate results.
Q5: What if multiple forces act on an object?
A: The net force is the vector sum of all individual forces acting on the object.