F = m × a | Newton's Second Law of Motion | Free Physics Tool
Result
--
📝 Step-by-step solution
Select what to calculate and enter values
💡 Force F in Newtons (N) | Mass m in kilograms (kg) | Acceleration a in m/s² | 1 N = 1 kg·m/s²
📖 How to Use This Force Calculator
1
Select what you want to calculate - Force (F), Mass (m), or Acceleration (a).
2
Enter the known values - For force: enter mass and acceleration. For mass: enter force and acceleration. For acceleration: enter force and mass.
3
Click "Calculate" - Get your result with a complete step-by-step solution.
⚡ Newton's Second Law of Motion
Newton's second law 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 of classical mechanics is expressed by the equation: F = ma
Where F is the net force in Newtons (N), m is the mass in kilograms (kg), and a is the acceleration in meters per second squared (m/s²). This law explains how objects move when forces are applied.
📊 Force Formulas
Force (F): F = m × a Mass (m): m = F / a Acceleration (a): a = F / m
🔬 Real-World Examples of Force
Gravity: Weight = mass × g (g = 9.81 m/s²). A 10 kg object weighs 98.1 N.
Car Acceleration: 1000 kg car accelerating at 5 m/s² requires 5000 N of force.
Kicking a Ball: Force applied determines how fast the ball accelerates.
Braking: Negative acceleration (deceleration) requires force opposite to motion.
💡 Types of Forces
Contact Forces: Friction, tension, normal force, air resistance, applied force
Net Force: Vector sum of all forces acting on an object
Balanced Forces: Net force = 0 → object at rest or constant velocity
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Newton of force?
One Newton (N) is the force required to accelerate a 1 kg mass at 1 m/s². It's roughly the weight of a small apple (≈ 100g).
Why does acceleration decrease as mass increases?
According to Newton's second law, acceleration = F/m. For the same force, a larger mass results in smaller acceleration because more mass has more inertia.
What is the difference between mass and weight?
Mass is the amount of matter in an object (kg). Weight is the force of gravity acting on that mass (N). Weight = mass × g.