All Questions
6
questions
0
votes
4
answers
163
views
What does the $F$ in Newton's second law equation mean?
This is a super simple question: does $F$ represent the net force exerted on an object or the force it exerts on another object as a result of momentum? Say a ball is rolling. In this specific ...
- 539
2
votes
2
answers
87
views
Are the definitions of force and acceleration circular? [duplicate]
Force is defined by acceleration , and acceleration requires the determination of" inertial frames".
But an inertial frames also requires the knowledge of forces which requires measuring ...
- 93
1
vote
3
answers
101
views
Meaning of "$=$" in $\vec{F}=m\vec{a}$ (for example)
I don't understand how the two could really be one and the same. E.g. we can exert forces $\vec{F}$ and $-\vec{F}$ on a body and it's acceleration will not change. I don't think it makes sense to say ...
- 21
3
votes
1
answer
535
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Is Newton's second law definition of force, or experimental statement? [duplicate]
I usually hear explanation of the second law like this:
If you apply twice as much force, it doubles the acceleration.
When the same force is applied, if the mass is doubled, the acceleration becomes ...
- 39
5
votes
2
answers
460
views
Is Newton's first law an "If and only if"
On Wikipedia, Newton's first law is stated as:
In an inertial frame of reference, an object either remains at rest or continues to move at a constant velocity, unless acted upon by a force.
I read ...
- 103
1
vote
2
answers
2k
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Clarification regarding Newton's Third Law of Motion and why movement is possible [duplicate]
Newton's third law states that to every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
If that's the case, then how do things move at all? Shouldn't all applied forces be canceled by the equal and ...
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