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. The formula F = m × a is fundamental in physics and engineering.
The calculator uses Newton's Second Law formula:
Where:
Explanation: The calculator can solve for any missing variable when two of the three variables are provided. It automatically calculates the unknown quantity.
Details: Understanding force calculations is essential in physics, engineering, automotive design, aerospace, and many practical applications. It helps determine how much force is needed to move objects or how objects will respond to applied forces.
Tips: Enter any two known values (force, mass, or acceleration) and leave the third field empty or set to zero. The calculator will compute the missing value automatically. All values must be positive numbers.
Q1: What are the standard units for this formula?
A: The standard SI units are Newtons (N) for force, kilograms (kg) for mass, and meters per second squared (m/s²) for acceleration.
Q2: Can I use different units?
A: Yes, but you must ensure unit consistency. For example, if using pounds for force and feet for acceleration, mass should be in slugs.
Q3: What is 1 Newton equivalent to?
A: 1 Newton is the force required to accelerate 1 kilogram of mass at 1 meter per second squared (1 N = 1 kg·m/s²).
Q4: Does this work for rotational motion?
A: For rotational motion, the equivalent formula is τ = I × α, where τ is torque, I is moment of inertia, and α is angular acceleration.
Q5: What if there are multiple forces acting?
A: Use the net force (vector sum of all forces) in the calculation. The acceleration will be in the direction of the net force.