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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 acceleration produced by a net force on an object is equal to the net force divided by the mass of the object. Doubling the force doubles the acceleration, while doubling the mass halves the acceleration.
Details: Understanding acceleration is crucial in physics, engineering, and everyday applications. It helps predict object motion, design vehicles and structures, and analyze forces in mechanical systems.
Tips: Enter net force in newtons (N) and mass in kilograms (kg). All values must be positive numbers greater than zero. The calculator will compute the acceleration in meters per second squared (m/s²).
Q1: What is the difference between net force and applied force?
A: Net force is the vector sum of all forces acting on an object, while applied force is just one of the forces. Net force determines acceleration according to Newton's second law.
Q2: Can acceleration be negative?
A: Yes, negative acceleration (deceleration) occurs when the net force opposes the direction of motion, causing the object to slow down.
Q3: What if multiple forces act on an object?
A: Calculate the vector sum of all forces to find the net force, then use that value in the acceleration formula.
Q4: How does this relate to free fall?
A: In free fall (neglecting air resistance), the net force is weight (mg), so acceleration equals g (approximately 9.8 m/s² downward).
Q5: Are there limitations to Newton's second law?
A: At very high speeds (approaching light speed) or very small scales (quantum mechanics), relativistic or quantum effects become significant and Newtonian mechanics may not apply accurately.