Grade 11 · Physics
The Second Law (F = ma)
Why it matters
Force, mass and acceleration.
Core20m readingPrerequisite: Inertia & the First Law
What is Newton’s second law of motion?
Short answer
Newton’s second law states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force on it and inversely proportional to its mass: F = ma. A larger net force produces a larger acceleration, while a larger mass resists acceleration. Force is measured in newtons (N), where one newton accelerates one kilogram at one m/s².
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Frequently asked questions
- What is net force?
- The single force equivalent to all forces acting on an object added together as vectors; only the net force produces acceleration.
- What is one newton?
- The force that gives a 1 kg mass an acceleration of 1 m/s²: 1 N = 1 kg·m/s².