CLS-13

Newton's second law

F = m a. The net force sets the acceleration of a point mass.

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NewtonianNewton II

Governing equation

F=ma

where

m: Mass (kg)
a: Acceleration (m/s²)
F: Force (N)

Lecture brief

Historical brief

Newtonian mechanics (1687) plus energy, angular momentum, Kepler and the ballistic parabola remain the first language of motion. Every sheet here is a closed-form orbit, throw, spin or oscillator. This sheet (CLS-13 — Newton's second law) is the form associated with Newton II. Working symbols: $m$ , $a$ $\rightarrow$ $F$ . In an inertial frame. For variable mass, use dp/dt instead.

Purpose

Purpose: compute

F

from

m

a

in Classical mechanics via

F=ma

F = m a. The net force sets the acceleration of a point mass. Use it when a real classical mechanics question must be answered in SI before a code check.

Live realistic example

In symbols

Live case. Given

m = 10.000\,\mathrm{kg}

a = 2.000\,\mathrm{m/s^{2}}

, the governing relation

F=ma

yields

F = 20.00\,\mathrm{N}

. A mass, an arrow of force, an acceleration. Move a slider: the numbers are this situation, not a canned story.

Calculator

Inputs

Mass m10 kgAcceleration a2 m/s²

Outputs

Force F20.00 N

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Narration of this film

A mass, an arrow of force, an acceleration.

In an inertial frame. For variable mass, use dp/dt instead.

Reading speed

Watch on YouTube