Definition:SI/Force/Newton

Definition

The newton is an SI unit of force.

It is defined as being:

The amount of force required to accelerate a mass of one kilogram at a rate of one metre per second squared.

This arises from Newton's Second Law of Motion, which states that such an acceleration exists under the influence of such a force.

Conversion Factors

\(\ds \)

\(\)

\(\ds 1\)

newton

\(\ds \)

\(=\)

\(\ds 10^5\)

dynes

\(\ds \)

\(\approx\)

\(\ds 0.2248\)

pounds force

Symbol

$\mathrm N$

The symbol for the newton is $\mathrm N$.

Its $\LaTeX$ code is \mathrm N .

Base Units

The SI base units of the newton are:

$\mathrm N := \mathrm {kg} \, \mathrm m \, \mathrm s^{-2}$

where:

$\mathrm {kg}$ denotes kilograms

$\mathrm m$ denotes metres

$\mathrm s$ denotes seconds (of time).

Source of Name

This entry was named for Isaac Newton.

Sources

• 1966: Isaac Asimov: Understanding Physics ... (previous) ... (next): $\text {I}$: Motion, Sound and Heat: Chapter $3$: The Laws of Motion: Mass
• 1969: J.C. Anderson, D.M. Hum, B.G. Neal and J.H. Whitelaw: Data and Formulae for Engineering Students (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): $1.$ Units and Abbreviations: $1.2$ SI units $(2)$ Derived units
• 1976: Ralph J. Smith: Circuits, Devices and Systems (3rd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $1$: Electrical Quantities: Definitions and Laws: Definitions: Table $1$-$2$: Important Derived Quantities
• 1976: Ralph J. Smith: Circuits, Devices and Systems (3rd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): Chapter $1$: Electrical Quantities: Definitions and Laws: Definitions: Force
• 1989: Ephraim J. Borowski and Jonathan M. Borwein: Dictionary of Mathematics ... (previous) ... (next): newton
• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): force
• 1998: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (2nd ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): newton
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): force
• 2008: David Nelson: The Penguin Dictionary of Mathematics (4th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): newton
• 2014: Christopher Clapham and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): constant (in physical laws)
• 2014: Christopher Clapham and James Nicholson: The Concise Oxford Dictionary of Mathematics (5th ed.) ... (previous) ... (next): newton