Forces
Newton’s Second Law
To explain how resultant force and mass affect acceleration and use Newton’s second law in calculations.

What you will learn

How resultant force affects acceleration

How mass affects acceleration for a given force

How to calculate force using mass and acceleration

How to rearrange Newton’s second law

How to interpret force, mass and acceleration questions
Explanation
Resultant force, mass and acceleration are linked by F = ma. At constant mass, acceleration is proportional to resultant force; at constant force, larger mass gives smaller acceleration. Inertial mass measures resistance to acceleration and is the ratio of resultant force to acceleration. Example: A 4 kg object has 20 N driving force and 8 N resistance. Calculate acceleration. Resultant = 20 − 8 = 12 N; a = F/m = 12/4 = 3 m/s² in the driving direction. Use clear labels. Avoid unjustified claims.
