Force

The Force Calculator (F = m•a) computes net force based on the acceleration (a) and mass (m).

INSTRUCTIONS: Choose units and enter the following:

• (m) mass
• (a) acceleration

Force (F): The calculator returns force (F) in newtons.  However, this can be automatically converted to other force units via the pull-down menu.

The Math / Science

Newton's second law formula (F = m•a) shows the relationship between mass, acceleration and force.  The three forms of the equation are as follows:

• F = m•a. 

where:

• F is the force
• m is the mass
• a is the acceleration

• m = F / a.  This is Newton's second law formula solved for mass.
• a = F / m.  This is Newton's second law formula solved for acceleration.

Notes:

Acceleration results in the direction of the net force, which in this equation is represented by a single force.