Force Calculator

What is Force?

Force is a push or pull upon an object resulting from the object's interaction with another object. Force is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. The SI unit of force is the Newton (N).

• Definition: 1 Newton = force needed to accelerate 1 kg by 1 m/s²
• Formula: F = ma (Force = mass × acceleration)
• Units: Newtons (N), pounds-force (lbf), dynes, kilogram-force (kgf)
• Vector: Has both magnitude and direction

Newton's Three Laws of Motion

The three fundamental laws of classical mechanics:

• First Law (Law of Inertia): An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force
• Second Law: F = ma (The acceleration of an object depends on the mass of the object and the amount of force applied)
• Third Law: For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction

Force Formulas

Different ways to calculate force:

• Newton's Second Law: F = ma
• From Work: F = W/d (Force = Work / distance)
• From Momentum: F = Δp/Δt = m×Δv/Δt
• Gravitational Force: F = mg (weight)
• Gravitational (Universal): F = G×m₁×m₂/r²
• Spring Force: F = -kx (Hooke's Law)
• Friction: F = μN (friction coefficient × normal force)

Force Unit Conversions

Common force unit conversions:

• 1 Newton (N) = 0.2248 pounds-force (lbf)
• 1 Newton (N) = 100,000 dynes
• 1 Newton (N) = 0.10197 kilogram-force (kgf)
• 1 pound-force (lbf) = 4.44822 Newtons
• 1 kgf = 9.80665 Newtons

Types of Forces

• Contact Forces: Friction, tension, normal force, applied force, spring force
• Action-at-a-Distance Forces: Gravitational force, electromagnetic force, nuclear forces
• Fundamental Forces: Gravitational, electromagnetic, strong nuclear, weak nuclear

Gravity on Different Planets

• Earth: 9.81 m/s² (1 g)
• Moon: 1.62 m/s² (0.165 g)
• Mars: 3.72 m/s² (0.379 g)
• Jupiter: 24.79 m/s² (2.528 g)
• Saturn: 10.44 m/s² (1.064 g)
• Venus: 8.87 m/s² (0.904 g)