Newton's Second Law Calculator
Newton's second law calculator
Solve force, mass, or acceleration from two known values.
InputsSolve acceleration3 fields • 6 digitsLive
Acceleration (m/s^2)
5 m/s^2
F 20 N • m 4 kg • a 5 m/s^2
a = F / m
Force (N)
20
Mass (kg)
4
Acceleration (m/s^2)
5
Equation
a = F / m
Detailsreport, formula, steps, recent
LaTeX formula
a = \frac{F}{m}Steps
- Step 1: Use Newton's second law in rearranged form: a = \frac{F}{m}.
- Step 2: Divide F/m -> 20 / 4 = 5 m/s^2.
Formula
F = m x a m = \frac{F}{a} a = \frac{F}{m} Symbol legend
| Symbol | Meaning | Unit | Copy |
|---|---|---|---|
F | Net force | N | |
m | Mass | kg | |
a | Acceleration | m/s^2 |
- F is net force in newtons (N).
- m is mass in kilograms (kg) and must be positive.
- a is acceleration in meters per second squared (m/s^2).
Example
Worked example: Solve acceleration
- 1 Given F = 20 N and m = 4 kg
- 2 a = F / m = 20 / 4 = 5
Acceleration is 5 m/s^2.
How
- Enter any two known values among force, mass, and acceleration.
- Leave one field blank for the unknown variable.
- Read the solved value instantly as inputs update live.
Avoid
- Entering all three values when one should be left blank.
- Using zero or negative mass values, which are not physically valid for this tool.
- Mixing units (for example grams instead of kilograms) without conversion.
FAQ
How many inputs do I need?
Provide exactly two known values and leave one field blank to solve the third.
Can acceleration be negative?
Yes, negative acceleration is allowed and represents acceleration opposite the chosen direction.
Why can't solved mass be zero or negative?
In this educational model, mass must be positive to keep the physical interpretation valid.
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