Physics Laws & Theorems
Basic

Newton's Second Law

Net force equals mass times acceleration (rate of change of momentum).

Formula

F=ma=dpdtF = ma = \frac{dp}{dt}

Variables

FForce
mMass
aAcceleration
pMomentum

Example

Doubling the force on a fixed mass doubles its acceleration.

Did You Know?

Newton originally stated his second law in terms of momentum, not the familiar F = ma.