Home
Back
Newton's Second Law:
| From: | To: |
Newton's Second Law of Motion states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass. This fundamental principle describes the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration in classical mechanics.
The calculator uses Newton's Second Law equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation shows that acceleration increases with greater force and decreases with greater mass, following a linear relationship.
Details: Calculating acceleration is essential in physics, engineering, and various practical applications including vehicle design, sports science, and space exploration. It helps predict object motion and design systems with specific acceleration requirements.
Tips: Enter force in Newtons (N) and mass in kilograms (kg). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero. The result will be acceleration in meters per second squared (m/s²).
Q1: What are the SI units for this calculation?
A: Force in Newtons (N), mass in kilograms (kg), and acceleration in meters per second squared (m/s²).
Q2: Can this formula be used for any object?
A: Yes, Newton's Second Law applies to all objects in classical mechanics, regardless of size or composition, as long as relativistic effects are negligible.
Q3: What if multiple forces act on an object?
A: Use the net force (vector sum of all forces) in the calculation. The acceleration will be in the direction of the net force.
Q4: How does this relate to weight?
A: Weight is the force of gravity on an object: W = m × g, where g is gravitational acceleration (approximately 9.8 m/s² on Earth).
Q5: Are there limitations to this formula?
A: At very high speeds (approaching light speed) or very small scales (quantum mechanics), relativistic or quantum effects become significant and classical mechanics may not apply.