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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 forms the basis of classical mechanics.
The calculator uses Newton's Second Law equation:
Where:
Explanation: The equation shows that for a constant mass, acceleration increases linearly with force, and for a constant force, acceleration decreases as mass increases.
Details: Calculating acceleration is essential in physics, engineering, and various practical applications including vehicle design, sports science, and space exploration. It helps predict how objects will move under different forces.
Tips: Enter force in Newtons (N) and mass in kilograms (kg). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What is the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration?
A: Acceleration is directly proportional to force and inversely proportional to mass. Doubling the force doubles acceleration, while doubling the mass halves acceleration.
Q2: What are the SI units for this equation?
A: Force in Newtons (N), mass in kilograms (kg), and acceleration in meters per second squared (m/s²).
Q3: Does this equation work for all types of motion?
A: This equation applies to linear motion with constant mass. For rotational motion or variable mass systems, different equations are needed.
Q4: What if multiple forces act on an object?
A: Use the net force (vector sum of all forces) in the calculation. The direction of acceleration matches the direction of the net force.
Q5: How does gravity affect this calculation?
A: Gravity provides a constant force (weight = mg). When calculating acceleration due to gravity alone, F = mg, so a = g ≈ 9.8 m/s² on Earth.