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Newton's Second Law:
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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. This fundamental principle describes the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration in classical mechanics.
The calculator uses Newton's Second Law equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation shows that for a constant mass, acceleration increases linearly with net force. For a constant force, acceleration decreases as mass increases.
Details: Calculating acceleration from force and mass is essential in physics, engineering, automotive design, aerospace, and many other fields where motion analysis is required. It helps predict how objects will move under various force conditions.
Tips: Enter net force in newtons (N) and mass in kilograms (kg). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero. The calculator will compute the acceleration in meters per second squared (m/s²).
Q1: What is net force?
A: Net force is the vector sum of all forces acting on an object. It represents the overall force that causes acceleration.
Q2: Why must mass be in kilograms and force in newtons?
A: The SI unit system defines 1 newton as the force required to accelerate 1 kilogram at 1 m/s², ensuring dimensional consistency.
Q3: What if the net force is zero?
A: If net force is zero, acceleration is zero (Newton's First Law) - the object remains at rest or moves with constant velocity.
Q4: Does this work for all types of motion?
A: This applies to linear motion. For rotational motion, torque and moment of inertia are used instead of force and mass.
Q5: Are there limitations to Newton's Second Law?
A: At relativistic speeds (approaching light speed) or quantum scales, Newtonian mechanics doesn't apply and is replaced by relativity and quantum mechanics.