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

0.00
m/s²
0.00
ft/s²
0.000
g (Earth gravity)
0.00 N·s
Impulse (rate of momentum change)
0.00 J
Work per meter

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

1

First Law

Objects at rest stay at rest, objects in motion stay in motion

2

Second Law

F = ma (Force equals mass times acceleration)

3

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