Newton's Second Law - GCSE Physics Definition

Reviewed by: Caroline Carroll

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Newton's Second Law of Motion is a key principle in physics that explains how the force acting on an object is related to its mass and acceleration. According to the law, the force needed to make an object move or stop moving is equal to the object's mass multiplied by its acceleration. In simple terms, heavier objects need more force to change their speed compared to lighter ones. This is often written as the equation:

F = ma

Where:

  • F stands for force (in Newtons, N)

  • m is mass (in kilograms, kg)

  • a is acceleration (in meters per second squared, m/s2)

This law helps us understand why different objects move differently when pushed or pulled.

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Caroline Carroll

Reviewer: Caroline Carroll

Expertise: Physics & Chemistry Subject Lead

Caroline graduated from the University of Nottingham with a degree in Chemistry and Molecular Physics. She spent several years working as an Industrial Chemist in the automotive industry before retraining to teach. Caroline has over 12 years of experience teaching GCSE and A-level chemistry and physics. She is passionate about creating high-quality resources to help students achieve their full potential.

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