F = ma

Force, mass and acceleration

An interactive lesson with 7 steps, about 6 minutes: you predict, drag and solve, with instant feedback on every answer. It runs in your browser and needs JavaScript.

What you’ll learn

• $F_\text{net} = ma$: acceleration is proportional to the net force and inversely proportional to the mass.
• 1 N = 1 kg·m/s².
• Add forces with their directions before using F = ma.

Steps

1. Push harder, push heavier
2. Predict
3. Newton’s second law
4. Car
5. Hit the target speed
6. Tug of war
7. Batter up