Force Calculator
Calculate force, mass, or acceleration using Newton's Second Law (F = ma)
Calculate Force Using F = ma
What would you like to calculate?
The amount of matter in an object
Change in velocity over time
Calculation Results
Reference: Weight Force
The weight of this mass on Earth: 98.07 N (using g = 9.807 m/s²)
✅ Your calculation is approximately equal to the weight force (gravitational force)
Example Calculation
Accelerating a Car
Problem: A car with mass 1,500 kg accelerates at 2.5 m/s². What force is needed?
Given: m = 1,500 kg, a = 2.5 m/s²
Find: F = ?
Solution
Using Newton's Second Law: F = m × a
F = 1,500 kg × 2.5 m/s²
F = 3,750 N
The engine must provide 3,750 Newtons of force to accelerate the car.
Newton's Laws of Motion
First Law
Objects at rest stay at rest; objects in motion stay in motion
Law of Inertia
Second Law
F = ma
Force equals mass times acceleration
Third Law
Every action has an equal and opposite reaction
Action-Reaction pairs
Common Types of Forces
Gravitational Force
Weight = mg (9.81 m/s² on Earth)
Normal Force
Perpendicular to surface contact
Friction Force
Opposes relative motion
Tension Force
Through ropes, strings, cables
Centripetal Force
Towards center of circular motion
Understanding Force and Newton's Second Law
What is Force?
Force is any interaction that, when unopposed, can change the motion of an object. It's a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude (strength) and direction. Forces can cause objects to accelerate, decelerate, or change direction.
The Force Equation
F = m × a
Newton's Second Law of Motion
- F: Force measured in Newtons (N)
- m: Mass measured in kilograms (kg)
- a: Acceleration measured in meters per second squared (m/s²)
Key Concepts
- •Vector Nature: Forces have both magnitude and direction. When multiple forces act on an object, they combine vectorially to produce a net force.
- •SI Units: The standard unit of force is the Newton (N), where 1 N = 1 kg⋅m/s².
- •Proportionality: Force is directly proportional to both mass and acceleration. Double the mass or acceleration, and you double the force.
- •Net Force: When multiple forces act on an object, the net force determines the object's acceleration.
Remember: Without external force, objects in motion continue moving at constant velocity, and objects at rest stay at rest (Newton's First Law).