Question #f23b2

2 Answers
Sep 23, 2014

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=ma

F=ma=mvfvit=pfpit

Where F is the force
m is the mass of the object
a is acceleration, which is the rate of change of velocity
vi is the initial velocity of the object which the force acts upon
vf is the object's final velocity
t is time
p is momentum, which is equal to m×v

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=pfpit=vmfmit

Where mf is final mass and mi 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.

Mar 28, 2015

In physics, a force is any interaction which tends to change the motion of an object. In other words, a force can cause an object with mass to change its velocity (which includes to begin moving from a state of rest), i.e., to accelerate. Force can also be described by intuitive concepts such as a push or a pull.