Upward Acceleration from Thrust or Lift

The Upward Acceleration from Thrust or Lift calculator computes acceleration as a function of Mass (M) and the difference of two vertical forces, upward thrust or lift (F_t) and downward pull of gravity (F_g).

 INSTRUCTIONS:  Choose units and enter the following:

• (F_t) Upward Force (thrust or lift)
• (F_g) Downward Force of Fravity.
• (m) Mass of object

Acceleration (a): The calculator computes the acceleration (A) in meters per second squared.  However, this can be automatically converted to other acceleration units via the pull-down menu.

The Math / Science

The formula for upward acceleration is:

   `a =  (F_t - F_g)/m`

where:

• a = upward acceleration
• F_t = vertical force of thrust or lift
• F_g = downward force of gravity
• m = mass of object

This is a form of Newton's formula, F = m * a that computes a total force.  If you solve for acceleration,  you get:

                a = F/m

Then substitute F for the net force of upward trust and downward gravity (F = F_t - F_g).

This is anecdotally the forces on a rocket, with `F_t` being the force of thrust (upward), and `F_g` being the force of gravity (downward).

References

• Light and Matter(Dr. Benjamin Crowell) Chapter 4.3 Newton's Second Law