How to Calculate Force

Fore is a physical quantity that is responsible for causing a change in the speed, change in the direction and change in the dimensions of the free body. This article on how to calculate force will help you in calculating the force on the body using Newton’s formula and centripetal force.

There are many forms of force such as, centripetal force, gravitational force, force of friction, centrifugal force, etc. The net force acting on a body is inversely proportional to the mass of the body.

The basic formula for calculating force exerted on any body is derived from Newton’s second law. As per Newton’s second law of motion the formula for calculating force is given as,

F = m × a

In the above formula,

  • “m” is the mass of the body
  • “a” is the acceleration produced within the body when a force “F” is exerted on it.
  • Newton’s second law of motion states that force is the push that causes the object of mass “m” to change its velocity (accelerate).
  • Force is a vector quantity whose SI unit is Newton which is written simply as N.
  • To describe the force exerted on a body we need both its magnitude as well as direction.
  • To calculate the force exerted on a body using the above formula you need to know the mass of the object as well as the acceleration produced in the body.
  • If you want to calculate the force in Newton then you need to have the mass of the object in kilograms and the acceleration on the body in meter per Second Square (m / s 2).

Calculating centripetal force:

  • Centripetal force is the force that is responsible for holding the objects that are in circular motion. For example:
  • For moon the gravity between earth and sun acts as a centripetal force.
  • While a car is taking a turn, the force of friction provides the centripetal force so that the car can take a turn efficiently.
  • Centripetal force can be a result of many forces or sometimes it can be due to a single type of force. Here you will get the most basic formula for calculating centripetal force.

The formula used for calculating centripetal force is given as,

F = m (v2 /r)

In the above formula,

  • “F” is the force
  • “m” is the mass of the object
  • “v” is the velocity of the object
  • “r” is the radius of the i.e. the distance of the object form the centre of the circle
  • To calculate the centripetal force on the object, you need to know the mass of the object, radius of the circular path, and speed of the object that is in circular motion.
  • The mass should be expressed in kilograms, whereas the velocity needs to be in meter per second square and radius should be in meters.
  • Substitute all the values in the above formula and you will get the net force exerted on the body in Newton.
  • If you find it difficult to perform the calculations then you can make use of scientific calculators.
  • You can also use online calculators for calculating any type of force. You need to put the values of mass, velocity and acceleration depending upon the formula in compatible units.
  • You can use online converters for converting the units in compatible form if they are not in the compatible format to get correct answers.

You can use the information and the formulae given above to calculate force as well as centripetal force on any body which is under motion.

Related Tags: how to calculate net force, how to calculate friction force, How to Calculate Centripetal Force, Calculate Force from Velocity, how to calculate force?, calculate force, how to calculate a force, how to calculateforce centripetal

Related Content:

  1. How to Calculate Force of Friction
  2. How to Calculate Acceleration
  3. How to Calculate Energy
  4. How to Calculate Momentum
  5. How to Calculate Velocity

Leave a Reply