3.2.6

Force & Acceleration

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Force and Acceleration

A force may cause a mass to accelerate. This acceleration can be a change in speed, a change in direction or a change in both speed and direction.

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Resultant force

  • The resultant force is the sum of all of the forces acting on an object.
  • The change in an object’s motion is caused by the resultant force.
  • If the forces acting on an object are unbalanced (not equal) it means that a resultant force is acting on the object.
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Resultant force equation

  • A resultant force causes an acceleration.
  • The acceleration can be calculated with this equation.
  • Resultant force (F) = mass (m) x acceleration (a).
  • This is Newton's 2nd Law.

Jump to other topics

1Biology

1.1Cells, Tissues & Organs

1.2Reproduction & Variation

1.3Ecological Relationships & Classification

1.4Digestion & Nutrition

1.5Plants & Photosynthesis

1.6Biological Systems & Processes

2Chemistry

2.1Particles

2.2Chemical Reactions

2.3Atoms, Elements, Compounds

2.4The Periodic Table

2.5Materials & the Earth

2.6Reactivity

2.7Energetics

2.8Properties of Materials

3Physics

3.1Energy

3.2Forces & Motion

3.3Waves

3.4Electricity & Magnetism

3.5Matter

3.6Space Physics

4Thinking Scientifically

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