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=m(v_(f)-v_i)/t=(p_(f)-p_i)/t

Where F is the force
m is the mass of the object
a is acceleration, which is the rate of change of velocity
v_i is the initial velocity of the object which the force acts upon
v_f is the object's final velocity
t is time
p is momentum, which is equal to 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=(p_(f)-p_i)/t=v(m_(f)-m_i)/t

Where m_f is final mass and 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.

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.