®

Online Calculators

Force Calculator

Force Calculator
\( F = ma \)
force
F =
units
mass
acceleration
Answer:

Calculator Use

This calculator will find the missing variable in the physics equation for force (F = m * a), when two of the variables are known.

Force Equation

\( F = ma \)

Newton's second law states that force is proportional to what is required for an object of constant mass to change its velocity. This is equal to that object's mass multiplied by its acceleration. We use Newtons, kilograms, and meters per second squared as our default units, although any appropriate units for mass (grams, ounces, etc.) or velocity (miles per hour per second, millimeters per second2, etc.) could certainly be used as well - the calculation is the same regardless.

Units of Force
Abbreviations
dyne
dyn
kilogram-force
kgf
newton
N
kilonewton
kN
kip
kip
pound-force
lbf
ounce-force
ozf
poundal
pdl

Example

what is the force N when mass m equals 20 kilograms and acceleration a equals 3 meters per second squared

What is the force required to accelerate an object with a mass of 20 kg from stationary to 3 m/s2?

F = m * a

F = 20 kg * 3 m/s2

F = 60 N

Newtons are a derived unit, equal to 1 kg-m/s². In other words, a single Newton is equal to the force needed to accelerate one kilogram one meter per second squared.

Further Reading

 

Cite this content, page or calculator as:

Furey, Edward "Force Calculator F = ma" at https://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/physics/force.php from CalculatorSoup, https://www.calculatorsoup.com - Online Calculators

Last updated: October 9, 2023

Follow CalculatorSoup: