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 is expressed as F = ma, which can be rearranged to a = F/m.
The calculator uses Newton's Second Law:
Where:
Explanation: This equation shows that for a constant mass, the acceleration is directly proportional to the net force acting on the object.
Details: Calculating acceleration is fundamental in physics and engineering for understanding motion, designing vehicles and structures, and predicting how objects will behave under various forces.
Tips: Enter force in newtons (N) and mass in kilograms (kg). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero.
Q1: What units should I use for this calculation?
A: Use newtons (N) for force and kilograms (kg) for mass to get acceleration in meters per second squared (m/s²).
Q2: Does this formula work for all types of motion?
A: This formula applies to linear motion with constant mass. For rotational motion or variable mass systems, different formulas are needed.
Q3: What if multiple forces are acting on an object?
A: Use the net force (the vector sum of all forces) in the calculation.
Q4: How does mass affect acceleration?
A: For a constant force, acceleration decreases as mass increases, demonstrating the inverse relationship in Newton's Second Law.
Q5: Can this calculator be used for educational purposes?
A: Yes, this calculator is an excellent tool for students learning physics principles and verifying their calculations.