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 acceleration of an object is equal to the net force applied divided by the mass of the object. This means that for a constant force, a smaller mass will result in greater acceleration.
Details: Understanding and calculating acceleration is crucial in physics, engineering, and various practical applications. It helps in designing vehicles, predicting motion, analyzing forces in structures, and understanding fundamental physical phenomena.
Tips: Enter force in Newtons (N) and mass in kilograms (kg). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero. The calculator will compute the acceleration in meters per second squared (m/s²).
Q1: What is the SI unit for acceleration?
A: The SI unit for acceleration is meters per second squared (m/s²).
Q2: How does mass affect acceleration?
A: For a constant force, acceleration is inversely proportional to mass. Doubling the mass halves the acceleration.
Q3: What is the difference between mass and weight?
A: Mass is the amount of matter in an object (kg), while weight is the force of gravity acting on that mass (N). Weight = mass × gravitational acceleration.
Q4: Can this formula be used for any force?
A: Yes, Newton's Second Law applies to any net force acting on an object, regardless of the force's origin (gravity, friction, applied force, etc.).
Q5: What if multiple forces act on an object?
A: When multiple forces act on an object, you must first calculate the net force (vector sum of all forces) before applying the formula.