Difference between revisions of "Force"
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| − | A '''force''', defined informally, is a "push or pull" on a physical body. The [[SI]] unit for force is the [[newton]]. Force has [[direction]] as well as [[magnitude]]. | + | A '''force''', defined informally, is a "push or pull" on a physical body. The [[SI]] unit for force is the [[newton]]. Force has [[direction]] as well as [[magnitude]], meaning it's a vector. |
==Formal Definition== | ==Formal Definition== | ||
A force is that which may cause a physical body with [[mass]] to accelerate in a given [[direction]]. If the forces acting upon a body cancel out, then the body is in [[equilibrium]] and does not accelerate. | A force is that which may cause a physical body with [[mass]] to accelerate in a given [[direction]]. If the forces acting upon a body cancel out, then the body is in [[equilibrium]] and does not accelerate. | ||
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| + | ==Newton's Laws of Motion== | ||
| + | Issac Newton, a brilliant scientist and mathematician, came up with three laws about motion, that somewhat relate to force: | ||
| + | First Law: | ||
| + | The first law, also known as the law of inertia, states that an object will remain at rest or at motion unless a force is applied to it. | ||
| + | Second Law: | ||
| + | <math>F=ma</math> The second law states that force equals mass times acceleration. | ||
| + | Third Law: | ||
| + | For every force acting on an object, there is an equal and opposite force acting on it as well. | ||
==See Also== | ==See Also== | ||
Latest revision as of 21:17, 18 October 2017
A force, defined informally, is a "push or pull" on a physical body. The SI unit for force is the newton. Force has direction as well as magnitude, meaning it's a vector.
Formal Definition
A force is that which may cause a physical body with mass to accelerate in a given direction. If the forces acting upon a body cancel out, then the body is in equilibrium and does not accelerate.
Newton's Laws of Motion
Issac Newton, a brilliant scientist and mathematician, came up with three laws about motion, that somewhat relate to force:
First Law:
The first law, also known as the law of inertia, states that an object will remain at rest or at motion unless a force is applied to it.
Second Law:
The second law states that force equals mass times acceleration.
Third Law:
For every force acting on an object, there is an equal and opposite force acting on it as well.
See Also
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