Q13DQ - University Physics with Modern Physics

Question

Some students refer to the quantity ma S as “the force of acceleration.” Is it correct to refer to this quantity as a force? If so, what exerts this force? If not, what is a better description of this quantity?

Step-by-Step Solution

Answer

Therefore, the $\mathrm{m}\overrightarrow{\mathrm{a}}$ is equal to the net force is just an empirical equation, but it is not a force.

Step 1: Newton’s Second law

A body accelerates when a net force acts on it and travels in the same direction as the net force. The product of mass and acceleration vector is equal to the force vector.

$\underset{ }{\sum \overrightarrow{\mathrm{F}}=\mathrm{m}\overrightarrow{\mathrm{a}}}$

Step 2: Explain the quantity m a → .

Force being mass times acceleration is just an empirical equation that is used to calculate net force. Even though it is equal to the net force, it is not a force. Acceleration is an effect of a non-zero net force; it itself is not a force.