Acceleration using Force and Mass Calculator
Calculate acceleration, force, or mass using Newton's Second Law (F = ma)
Newton's Second Law Calculator
Choose which variable you want to solve for
Applied force on the object
Mass of the object
Newton's Second Law Results
Newton's Second Law: F = ma
Input values: Force: 0.00 N, Mass: 0.000 kg
Result: Acceleration = 0.00 m/s²
Physics Analysis
Example Calculation
Car Acceleration Example
Scenario: A car engine applies 5000 N of force
Car mass: 1500 kg
Find: Acceleration of the car
Solution
Using Newton's Second Law: F = ma
Rearranging: a = F/m
a = 5000 N / 1500 kg
a = 3.33 m/s²
This is about 0.34g, a comfortable acceleration for passengers.
Newton's Laws of Motion
First Law
Objects at rest stay at rest, objects in motion stay in motion
Second Law
F = ma (Force equals mass times acceleration)
Third Law
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction
Common Unit Conversions
Force
1 N = 0.225 lbf
1 kgf = 9.807 N
1 dyne = 10⁻⁵ N
Mass
1 kg = 2.205 lb
1 slug = 14.594 kg
1 tonne = 1000 kg
Acceleration
1 m/s² = 3.281 ft/s²
1 g = 9.807 m/s²
Free fall on Earth ≈ 9.8 m/s²
Understanding Newton's Second Law
What is Newton's Second Law?
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 describes how forces cause changes in motion.
Key Relationships
- •More force = more acceleration
- •More mass = less acceleration (for same force)
- •Force and acceleration are in the same direction
- •Zero net force = zero acceleration (constant velocity)
The Formula
F = ma
- F: Net force (Newtons, N)
- m: Mass (kilograms, kg)
- a: Acceleration (meters per second squared, m/s²)
Solving Variations
For acceleration: a = F/m
For force: F = ma
For mass: m = F/a
Real-World Applications
Automotive
Engine force, braking distance, crash safety analysis
Aerospace
Rocket thrust, satellite orbital mechanics, aircraft performance
Sports
Ball trajectories, athletic performance, equipment design