Force is a physical term defined as an influence that causes an object to change its speed or direction of motion or rotation. Forces can accelerate objects by pulling or pushing. The relationship between force, mass, and acceleration was defined by Isaac Newton in Newton's 2nd law, which states that the force of an object is the product of its mass and acceleration. If you want to know how to measure force, just follow these steps.
Step
Method 1 of 2: Measuring Force
Step 1. Understand the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration
The force of an object is simply the product of its mass and its acceleration. This relationship can be defined by the following formula: Force = Mass x Acceleration.
Here are some other things to consider when measuring force:
- The standard unit for mass is the kilogram (kg).
- The standard unit for acceleration is m/s2.
- The standard unit for force is the newton (N). Newton is a derived unit. 1N = 1 kg x 1m/s2.
Step 2. Measure the mass of the given object
The mass of an object is the amount of matter contained in it. The mass of an object never changes, no matter what planet it is on; while the weight varies depending on the gravitational attraction. Your mass on Earth and on the Moon is the same. In the metric system, mass can be written in grams or kilograms. Suppose the object we use is a truck with mass 1000 kgs.
- To find the mass of a given object, place it on a triple balance or double balance. This balance will measure mass in kilograms or grams.
- In the Imperial system, mass can be expressed in pounds (pounds). Since force can also be expressed in these units, the term "pound-mass" was coined to distinguish its use. However, if you find the mass of an object expressed in pounds, simply multiply it by 0.45 to find the value in kilograms.
Step 3. Measure the object's acceleration
In physics, acceleration is defined as the change in velocity, which is defined as the speed in a given direction, per unit time. Apart from being accelerated, acceleration can also be defined as decelerating or changing direction. Just as speed can be measured with a speedometer, acceleration can also be measured with an accelerometer. Let the acceleration of the truck with mass 1000 kg is 3m/s2.
- In the metric system, velocity is written in centimeters per second or meters per second, and acceleration is written in centimeters per second per second (centimeters per second squared) or meters per second per second (meters per second squared).
- In the Imperial system, one way to express speed is feet per second. So, acceleration can also be expressed in units of feet per second squared.
Step 4. Multiply the object's mass by its acceleration
The result is a style value. Just plug the numbers that have been obtained into the equation and you will know the force of an object. Remember to write your answer in netwon (N).
- Force = Mass x Acceleration
- Force = 1000 kg x 3m/s2
- Force = 3000N
Method 2 of 2: More Complicated Concepts
Step 1. Find the mass if you know the force and acceleration
If you know the force and acceleration of an object, just plug the values into the same formula to find the object's mass. Here's how to do it:
- Force = Mass x Acceleration
- 3N = Mass x 3m/s2
- Mass = 3N/3m/s2
- Mass = 1 kg
Step 2. Find the acceleration if you know the force and mass
If you know the force and mass of an object, just plug the values into the same formula to find the object's acceleration. Here's how to do it:
- Force = Mass x Acceleration
- 10N = 2 kg x Acceleration
- Acceleration = 10N/2kg
- Acceleration = 5m/s2
Step 3. Find the acceleration of an object
If you want to know the force of an object, you can calculate its acceleration as long as you know its mass. All you have to do is use a formula to find the acceleration of an object. The formula is (Acceleration = Final Speed – Initial Speed)/Time.
- Example: A runner has a speed of 6 m/2 in 10 seconds. What's the acceleration?
- The final speed is 6 m/s. Its initial speed is 0 m/s. The time is 10 s.
- Acceleration = (6 m/s - 0 m/s)/10s = 6/10s = 0.6m/s2
Tips
- Mass can also be written in slugs, with one slug being equal to 32,174 pounds of mass. One slag is the amount of mass that 1 pound of force can accelerate by 1 foot per second squared. When multiplying the mass in slugs by the acceleration in feet per second squared, the conversion constant is not used.
- Thus, a 640 pound mass accelerating at 5 feet per second squared has an approximate force of 640 times 5 divided by 32 or 100 pounds of force.
- Weight is the mass affected by the acceleration due to gravity. At Earth's surface, the acceleration is about 9.8 meters per second squared (9.8065) or 32 feet per second squared (32, 174). Thus, in the metric system, a mass of 100 kg is equivalent to 980 newtons, and a mass of 100 grams is equivalent to 980 dynes. In the British system, mass and weight can be written in the same units, so that 100 pounds of mass weighs 100 pounds (100 pounds of force). Since a spring balance measures the pull of gravity on an object, it actually measures weight, not mass. (In everyday use, there is no difference, as long as gravity is applied to the Earth's surface.)
- Divide the result by the conversion constant if you are using English units. As noted above, the pound can be a unit of mass or force in the British system; when used as a unit of force, the pound is called the pound of force. The conversion constant is 32.174 pound-feet per pound of force second-squared; 32, 174 is the value of the acceleration due to Earth's gravity in feet per second squared. (To simplify the math, we'll round the value to 32.)
- Note that the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration means that an object with a small mass and a large acceleration can have the same force as an object with a large mass and small acceleration.
- A mass of 150 kilograms with an acceleration of 10 meters per second squared has a force of 150 times 10, or 1500 kilograms meters per second squared. (One kilogram meter per second squared is called a newton.)
- Styles may have special names depending on their effect on an object. The force that causes an object to accelerate is called a push, while the force that causes an object to slow down is a pull. The force that changes the direction of rotation of an object rotating about its axis is called torque.
- A mass of 20 grams with an acceleration of 5 cm per second squared has a force of 20 times 5, or 100 grams centimeters per second squared. (One gram centimeter per second squared is called a dyne.)
