Force Calculator

Newton's second law

F = m × a

One newton accelerates one kilogram at one meter per second squared. A 1,200 kg car accelerating at 3 m/s² needs 3,600 N of net force from its tires.

Net force is the key word

F in the law is the SUM of all forces. An object moving at constant velocity has zero net force on it no matter how fast it goes: engine thrust exactly cancels drag and friction. When the numbers don't match your experiment, a force (usually friction) is missing from the tally.