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How does acceleration depend on net force?

Published in Physics 3 mins read

Acceleration is directly proportional to the net force acting on an object. This means that if you double the net force, you double the acceleration, assuming the mass remains constant.

Here's a breakdown of the relationship:

  • Newton's Second Law of Motion: This law mathematically describes the relationship between net force, mass, and acceleration. The formula is:

    F_net = m * a

    Where:

    • Fnet is the net force acting on the object (measured in Newtons, N)
    • m is the mass of the object (measured in kilograms, kg)
    • a is the acceleration of the object (measured in meters per second squared, m/s²)

  • Direct Proportionality: From the formula, we can see that acceleration (a) is directly proportional to the net force (Fnet) when the mass (m) is constant. This means as Fnet increases, a increases proportionally. Conversely, as Fnet decreases, a decreases proportionally.

  • Example: Imagine pushing a shopping cart. If you push with twice the force (double the net force), the cart will accelerate twice as fast. If you stop pushing (net force is zero), the acceleration becomes zero, and the cart will either remain at rest or continue moving at a constant velocity (unless another force acts on it, such as friction).

  • Inverse Proportionality to Mass: While the question focused on net force, it's important to remember that acceleration is inversely proportional to the mass of the object. This means that for the same net force, a heavier object will accelerate less than a lighter object.

  • Importance of "Net" Force: The key is the net force. This is the vector sum of all forces acting on the object. If forces are acting in opposite directions, the net force is the difference between them. For example, if you push a box forward with 10 N of force, but friction opposes you with 2 N of force, the net force is 8 N. It is this net force that determines the acceleration.

In summary, the greater the net force acting on an object, the greater its acceleration, and this relationship is directly proportional, according to Newton's Second Law of Motion.

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