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Defining Force

Key Questions

Is force a scalar quantity?

No, force is a vector quantity, it is defined by its magnitude and direction.

Common vector quantities are displacement, velocity, acceleration and force.

Common scalar quantities are distance, speed, work and energy.

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Brian Swarthout · 1 · Jul 7 2014
Question #f23b2

Put simply, a force is something which changes the momentum of an object. The magnitude of a force is the rate of change of momentum caused.

This is shown by manipulation of the famous equation $F = m a$ $F=ma$

$F = m a = m \frac{v_{f} - v_{i}}{t} = \frac{p_{f} - p_{i}}{t}$ $F=ma=m(v_(f)-v_i)/t=(p_(f)-p_i)/t$

Where $F$ $F$ is the force
$m$ $m$ is the mass of the object
$a$ $a$ is acceleration, which is the rate of change of velocity
$v_{i}$ $v_i$ is the initial velocity of the object which the force acts upon
$v_{f}$ $v_f$ is the object's final velocity
$t$ $t$ is time
$p$ $p$ is momentum, which is equal to $m \times v$ $mxxv$

Extra info:
Of course, because force is the rate of change of momentum, it can be linked to an object whose mass changes while velocity remains constant.

$F = \frac{p_{f} - p_{i}}{t} = v \frac{m_{f} - m_{i}}{t}$ $F=(p_(f)-p_i)/t=v(m_(f)-m_i)/t$

Where $m_{f}$ $m_f$ is final mass and $m_{i}$ $m_i$ is initial mass.

Force can also be related to an object whose mass and velocity change simultaneously, but those equations involve calculus, so I won't include those here.

Mike G. · 5 · Sep 23 2014

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Forces and Newton's Laws

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