The SI unit of force is the newton, symbolized as N.
Understanding the Newton
The newton (N) is defined as the force required to accelerate a mass of one kilogram at a rate of one meter per second squared (1 kg⋅m/s²). This means that a force of one newton acting on a one-kilogram mass will cause it to accelerate at 1 m/s². This fundamental definition is derived from Newton's second law of motion (F=ma, where F is force, m is mass, and a is acceleration).
Several sources confirm this:
- National Physical Laboratory (NPL): The NPL states that "The SI unit of force is the newton, symbol N." https://www.npl.co.uk/resources/q-a/what-is-the-si-unit-of-force
- Wikipedia: The Wikipedia entry for the Newton unit explicitly states it's the SI unit of force. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Newton_(unit)
- Numerous other sources: Many online resources, including educational websites and forums, consistently identify the newton as the SI unit of force. These resources also often show its equivalence in base units (kg⋅m/s²).
Base Units of Force
It's important to note that the newton is not a base unit in the SI system; rather, it's a derived unit. Its derivation uses the base units of:
- Kilogram (kg): The unit of mass.
- Meter (m): The unit of length.
- Second (s): The unit of time.
