Example 1
A net force of 12 N acting on a 3 kg object gives an acceleration of 4 m/s².
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Physics tools › Newton’s second law: force, mass, acceleration
Mendeleev · Physics
Newton’s second law: force, mass, acceleration
The simple scalar form F = ma applies along a chosen axis. In a full vector problem, forces must be added with their directions before applying Newton’s second law.
Formula usedFnet = ma
Calculate
Newton’s second law: force, mass, acceleration
What do the symbols mean?
Fforce
mmass
aacceleration
Two worked examples
Example 2
Accelerating a 1,200 kg car at 2 m/s² requires a net force of 2.4 kN.
Good to knowFnet emphasizes that the equation uses the net force, not one arbitrary force.