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Newton's Second Law:
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Acceleration is the rate of change of velocity of an object with respect to time. According to Newton's second law of motion, the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass.
The calculator uses Newton's second law equation:
Where:
Explanation: This fundamental equation describes how the acceleration of an object depends on the net force applied to it and its mass. Greater force produces greater acceleration, while greater mass results in less acceleration.
Details: Calculating acceleration is essential in physics, engineering, and everyday applications. It helps understand motion dynamics, design vehicles and machinery, and solve real-world problems involving moving objects.
Tips: Enter force in Newtons (N) and mass in kilograms (kg). Both values must be positive numbers greater than zero for accurate calculation.
Q1: What is the SI unit of acceleration?
A: The SI unit of acceleration is meters per second squared (m/s²).
Q2: Can acceleration be negative?
A: Yes, negative acceleration (deceleration) occurs when an object slows down, indicating the acceleration vector is opposite to the velocity vector.
Q3: What is the difference between acceleration and velocity?
A: Velocity is the rate of change of position, while acceleration is the rate of change of velocity. Acceleration tells us how quickly velocity is changing.
Q4: Does this equation work for all types of motion?
A: This equation applies to linear motion under constant net force. For rotational motion or variable forces, different equations are needed.
Q5: What if multiple forces act on an object?
A: Use the vector sum of all forces (net force) in the calculation. The direction of acceleration will be the same as the direction of the net force.