I can't quite understand the concept of force.Force = Mass *

[Atomic_Sheep]

I can't quite understand the concept of force.

Force = Mass * Acceleration

Work = Force * Distance

If you apply a force to an object, and it doesn't move, no work has been done. Yet if an object doesn't move, how can there be acceleration? So based on that, no force has been exerted?

And also, if you try to move an object for example a stapler across your desk, you need to apply a constant force to it to keep it moving at a constant velocity, so that force is equal to the force exerted by the friction. So if you apply a force equal to the opposing force, the net forces cancel out and you get no acceleration. So does that mean that to get the stapler to move in the first place, more force than what the friction value is, was necessary to get the stapler to begin moving (in order to change the inertia/invoke a new vector of force on the mass of the stapler?).

 

[Doc Al]

I can't quite understand the concept of force.

Force = Mass * Acceleration

Better to think of this as ƩF = ma: net force on an object equals mass * acceleration.

Work = Force * Distance

If you apply a force to an object, and it doesn't move, no work has been done. Yet if an object doesn't move, how can there be acceleration? So based on that, no force has been exerted?

It just means that the net force on the object is zero, not that you exerted no force.

And also, if you try to move an object for example a stapler across your desk, you need to apply a constant force to it to keep it moving at a constant velocity, so that force is equal to the force exerted by the friction. So if you apply a force equal to the opposing force, the net forces cancel out and you get no acceleration. So does that mean that to get the stapler to move in the first place, more force than what the friction value is, was necessary to get the stapler to begin moving (in order to change the inertia/invoke a new vector of force on the mass of the stapler?).

Right! In order to start something moving you must accelerate it, which requires a net force.

 

[Atomic_Sheep]

That makes more sense now, thanks!