Newton's second law
1
3.4
- noun
- /ˈnjuːtənz ˈsɛkənd lɔː/
- Specialized
:
segunda ley de Newton
- According to Newton's second law, the acceleration of an object depends on the net force acting on it and its mass, expressed by the formula F = ma.
- Newton's second law of motion
Examples
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When a car speeds up, it is demonstrating Newton's second law, as the force applied to the car results in a change in its acceleration.
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Without guidance, the mass she had accrued would follow Newton's second law of motion.
Fiction book (1999) -
Unlike his first and third laws, Newton's second law of motion is an equation: F = ma.
Academic text (2004) -
The central idea hinges on Newton's second law of motion: force equals mass times acceleration, or F = ma.
Academic text (2011) -
In physics classes, students learn that Newton's second law states that force is equal to mass multiplied by acceleration.
Synonyms
A rule that says how a force makes an object move faster depending on its mass
A rule that a force changes an object's motion more when the force is bigger or the object is lighter
Surface Forms
Morphology
The phrase transparently signals a law belonging to Newton and that it is the second in a sequence (Newton's + second + law are compositional), so learners will grasp it names a particular scientific rule. However, the specific content (the formula F = ma and the precise definition about change of momentum) cannot be derived from the constituent words alone and requires subject knowledge, so the expression is only partly transparent.
Etymology
Newton's second law can be understood with a simple picture: imagine pushing a shopping cart, and if the cart is empty it speeds up quickly but if it is full you must push much harder. That image links the words force, mass, and acceleration, and explains why Newton's second law means 'Force = mass × acceleration'.