Question & Answer » Physics Questions » Prove that F = ma

Prove that F = ma

Prove that F = ma. Find the answer to this question and access a vast question bank that is customized for students.

Prove that F = ma.

The second law of Newton is a quantitative expression of the effects that a force can have on a body’s motion. The product of a mass and velocity of a body determine its momentum. p = m × v

Momentum has both direction and magnitude, which is similar to velocity. If a body has a force acting on it, then it can impact the direction,  magnitude, or both of the components of momentum. 

The formula F = ma can be stated for a body with a constant mass m.

The linear momentum of a body is calculated as follows:

Mv = p

Now, Newton’s 2nd Law of Motion states:

The rate of change in momentum is precisely proportional to force.

dp/dt 

F = k dp/dt 

F = k d(mv)/dt 

F = k md(v)/dt 

K ma = F

K = 1 was used in the experiments.

ma = F