Newton's Second Law: Force and Acceleration (Part 3)

What You'll Learn

Newton's second law says that force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma). A heavier object needs more force to accelerate at the same rate as a lighter one.

Key Words

Newton
acceleration

Materials Needed

marbles
paper clips
rubber bands

Safety First

Do not mix unknown chemicals together.
Tie back long hair before starting the experiment.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Read and learn: Newton's second law says that force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma). A heavier object needs more force to accelerate at the same rate as a lighter one.

Step 2 — Do

Follow the procedure carefully, step by step.

Step 3 — Observe

Watch carefully for any changes and note the time.

Step 4 — Record

Create a data table to organize your measurements.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

1 of 3

What unit is force measured in?