Acceleration Formula:
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The acceleration formula (a = F/m) is derived from Newton's second law of motion. It states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass.
The calculator uses Newton's second law formula:
Where:
Explanation: This fundamental physics equation describes how the motion of an object changes when a force is applied, with acceleration being the rate of change of velocity.
Details: Calculating acceleration is essential in physics, engineering, and various real-world applications including vehicle design, sports science, space exploration, and understanding everyday motion phenomena.
Tips: Enter force in Newtons (N) and mass in kilograms (kg). All values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What are the SI units for acceleration?
A: The standard SI unit for acceleration is meters per second squared (m/s²).
Q2: How does mass affect acceleration?
A: For a constant force, acceleration decreases as mass increases - this is the inverse relationship described by the formula.
Q3: Can this formula be used for any type of motion?
A: This formula applies to linear motion with constant mass. For rotational motion or variable mass systems, different formulas apply.
Q4: What is the difference between acceleration and velocity?
A: Velocity is the rate of change of position, while acceleration is the rate of change of velocity.
Q5: How does this relate to gravity?
A: The acceleration due to gravity (g ≈ 9.8 m/s²) is a specific case where the force is weight (mg) acting on mass m.