Second Law of Motion - Force and Acceleration

Newton's Second Law of Motion states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass.

Mathematical Expression

F=maF = ma

where:

  • F is the net force (in Newtons)
  • m is mass (in kilograms)
  • a is acceleration (in meters per second squared)

Alternative forms:

a=Fma = \frac{F}{m}
F=d(mv)dtF = \frac{d(mv)}{dt}

Key Concepts

  • Force causes acceleration
  • Acceleration is inversely proportional to mass
  • The law defines the unit of force (Newton)
  • Valid for constant and varying forces

Applications

  • Rocket propulsion
  • Vehicle acceleration
  • Sports dynamics
  • Engineering design