Newton's Second Law: F = ma
The net force acting on an object equals its mass times its acceleration. A larger force means greater acceleration, and a larger mass means less acceleration for the same force. For example, pushing a bicycle vs a car with the same force — the bicycle accelerates much faster because it has less mass.
Common Forces Reference
| Force | Everyday Equivalent |
|---|---|
| 1 N | Raising a 100g apple |
| 10 N | Lifting a 1kg water bottle |
| 100 N | Pushing a heavy shopping cart |
| 500 N | Lifting a 50kg person |
| 1,000 N | Small car engine thrust |
| 10,000 N | Car collision impact force |