Physics
Force behind the acceleration
Newton's second law. Mass times acceleration gives the net force required to produce the change.
The Formula
F = m x a
Newton's second law. Mass times acceleration gives the net force required to produce the change.
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| F | Force | N | The net force needed, in newtons. |
| m | Mass | kg | The mass being accelerated, in kilograms. |
| a | Acceleration | m/s^2 | The rate of change of velocity. |
What Each Symbol Means
FN
Force
The net force needed, in newtons.
mkg
Mass
The mass being accelerated, in kilograms.
am/s^2
Acceleration
The rate of change of velocity.
See It Worked With Real Numbers
A formula on its own does not tell you which number goes where. The how to calculate acceleration page applies this equation to a concrete case, shows every intermediate step, and names the mistakes that produce a wrong answer even when the algebra is right.
Where This Formula Appears
This equation is the working core of How To Calculate Acceleration, filed under Science. Every number the guide produces comes from substituting into this one line.