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. This fundamental principle explains 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.
Details: Calculating force is essential in physics, engineering, and everyday applications. It helps determine how much thrust is needed for rockets, braking force for vehicles, and structural loads in buildings.
Tips: Enter mass in kilograms and acceleration in m/s². All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What are the units of force?
A: The SI unit of force is the Newton (N), which equals 1 kg·m/s².
Q2: How does force relate to motion?
A: Force causes objects to accelerate (change their velocity). No net force means constant velocity (including zero).
Q3: What's the difference between mass and weight?
A: Mass is the amount of matter (kg), while weight is the force of gravity on that mass (N). Weight = mass × gravitational acceleration.
Q4: Can this equation be used for rotational motion?
A: For rotational motion, torque (τ = Iα) is the rotational equivalent, where I is moment of inertia and α is angular acceleration.
Q5: 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.