Force Calculator (F=ma)
Calculate Newton's 2nd Law of Motion. Solve for Force, Mass, or Acceleration instantly.
Dynamics Setup
Calculated Newton Value
What is Force Calculator (F=ma)?
Newton's Second Law states that the force acting on an object is equal to the mass of that object multiplied by its acceleration. It is the core principle of dynamics—the study of why things move.
If you push a stationary cart, you are applying a Force. The heavier the cart (Mass), the harder you must push to make it speed up (Acceleration) at the same rate.
How to Use
Finding Force
Multiply mass by acceleration. For example, a 10kg mass accelerating at 5 m/s² requires 50 Newtons of force.
Finding Mass
Divide the total force by the acceleration. If 100N of force causes 2 m/s² of acceleration, the object's mass is 50kg.
Financial Education
What exactly is a "Newton"?
A Newton (N) is the derived SI unit of force. One Newton is the amount of force required to accelerate 1 kilogram of mass at 1 meter per second squared.
Inertia: Resistance to Force
Mass is often described as a measure of Inertia. It is the property of an object to remain at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by a force. Objects with more mass have more inertia and thus require more force to change their state of motion.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this calculator
Is weight a force?
Yes! Weight is the force of the Earth's gravity pulling on your mass. Weight = mass × gravity. This is why you weigh less on the Moon even though your mass is the same.
What is Net Force?
Net force is the sum of all forces acting on an object. If two people push a box from opposite sides with the same force, the "Net Force" is zero and the box doesn't accelerate.
Can force be negative?
Force values in this calculator are magnitudes. However, in physics, force can be negative depending on its direction relative to your chosen coordinate system.
Does F=ma always work?
It works perfectly for everyday objects. It only breaks down when objects travel near the speed of light (Relativity) or are as small as atoms (Quantum Mechanics).