1.15 know and use the relationship between unbalanced force, mass and acceleration: force = mass × acceleration F = m × a

Formula:
Force = mass x acceleration

This can be rearranged to form:

Mass =     force       
            acceleration

Acceleration =  force  
                          mass

Force is measured in N
Mass in kg
Acceleration in m/s2

Examples:

1. What force is required to make an object of mass 500g accelerate at 4 m/s2. What units will you use (be careful!)
2. An object accelerates at 0.8m/s2 when a resultant force of 200N acts upon it. What is the mass of the object?
3. What acceleration is produced by a force of 250N acting on a mass of 25kg.

Answers:

1. (Must convert the 500g into 0.5 kg) 0.5 x 4 = 2N
2.  200/0.8 = 250 kg
3. 250 / 25 = 10m/s2