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Acceleration Formula:
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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 calculate acceleration as a = F/m.
The calculator uses Newton's second law formula:
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: Calculating acceleration is fundamental in physics and engineering for understanding motion, designing vehicles and machinery, and analyzing forces in various systems.
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 force and mass?
A: Force should be in newtons (N) and mass in kilograms (kg) for acceleration in meters per second squared (m/s²).
Q2: What if the force is zero?
A: If the net force is zero, the acceleration will be zero, meaning the object will maintain its current velocity (either at rest or moving at constant velocity).
Q3: Does this formula work for all types of motion?
A: This formula applies to linear motion. For rotational motion, different formulas involving torque and moment of inertia are used.
Q4: What is the relationship between force, mass and acceleration?
A: Acceleration is directly proportional to force (double the force = double the acceleration) and inversely proportional to mass (double the mass = half the acceleration).
Q5: Can this calculator be used for objects in free fall?
A: Yes, for objects in free fall near Earth's surface, the force is the weight (mg), so acceleration would be g (approximately 9.8 m/s²).