Definition of Force
Force is an external agent capable of changing a body’s state of rest or motion.
Force can be a push or a pull. It has both magnitude and direction, thus force is a vector quantity. There are two broad categories of forces: contact forces and non-contact force.
Examples of contact forces include frictional forces, tensional forces, and applied forces, while examples of non-contact force include gravitational forces, electromagnetic forces, and nuclear forces.
Read more about What is Force?.
Formula for Force
The formula for force according to Newton’s second law of motion is:
F = ma
Where F represents the force, m denotes the mass, and a stands for acceleration.
Note: Unit of mass and acceleration is Kg and m/s2, thus force can be measured in Kg m/s2.
Unit of Force
Force is one of the most fundamental concepts in physics. Force is measured in the unit “Newton.” Force can be measured by observing its effects on the object, such as acceleration, deformation, or work done. A unit of force is a standard amount of force that can be used as a reference to measure and communicate other forces.
There are different systems of units that define different units of force, such as the Newton in the SI system, the dyne in the CGS system, and the pound-force in the imperial system.