1. What is Newton's Second Law?

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 is expressed by the equation F = ma, or rearranged as a = F/m.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Newton's Second Law:

Where:

• \( a \) — Acceleration (m/s²)
• \( F \) — Force (N)
• \( m \) — Mass (kg)

Explanation: The acceleration of an object is equal to the net force applied divided by the mass of the object.

3. Importance of Acceleration Calculation

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.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter force in Newtons (N) and mass in kilograms (kg). Both values must be valid (force ≥ 0, mass > 0).

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is the SI unit for acceleration?
A: The SI unit for acceleration is meters per second squared (m/s²).

Q2: Can acceleration be negative?
A: Yes, negative acceleration (deceleration) occurs when an object is slowing down or changing direction.

Q3: What happens if mass is zero?
A: Mass cannot be zero in this calculation as division by zero is undefined. Mass must always be a positive value.

Q4: How does force affect acceleration?
A: For a constant mass, acceleration is directly proportional to the applied force. Doubling the force will double the acceleration.

Q5: How does mass affect acceleration?
A: For a constant force, acceleration is inversely proportional to mass. Doubling the mass will halve the acceleration.