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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. The law is fundamental to classical mechanics and describes the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration.
The calculator uses Newton's second law equation:
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 crucial in physics, engineering, and various real-world applications. It helps in understanding motion dynamics, designing vehicles and machinery, and solving problems in mechanics and kinematics.
Tips: Enter net force in newtons and mass in kilograms. 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 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 the actual acceleration according to Newton's second law.
Q2: What are the SI units for this equation?
A: The standard SI units are newtons (N) for force, kilograms (kg) for mass, and meters per second squared (m/s²) for acceleration.
Q3: Can this formula be used for objects in free fall?
A: Yes, for objects in free fall near Earth's surface, the net force is the weight (mg), and acceleration equals g (approximately 9.8 m/s²).
Q4: How does mass affect acceleration?
A: For a constant net force, acceleration is inversely proportional to mass. Doubling the mass halves the acceleration.
Q5: Is this law valid in all reference frames?
A: Newton's second law is valid in inertial reference frames (non-accelerating frames). In accelerating frames, fictitious forces must be considered.