The discussion revolves around Newton's second law, specifically the relationship expressed as F→net = ma→, and whether the product of mass and acceleration (ma) can be considered a force. Participants are exploring the conceptual implications of this equation within the context of physics.
The discussion is active, with participants sharing their interpretations and reasoning. There is a mix of agreement and differing viewpoints regarding the classification of ma as a force, and some express confusion about the underlying concepts. Guidance has been offered in the form of dimensional analysis and the importance of understanding physical quantities.
Participants note that the question may involve assumptions about the definitions of force and physical quantities. There is also mention of the teacher's expectations regarding understanding and effort in homework submissions.
This smells to me like a question where some experts will disagree with others.wein7145 said:Homework Statement
Newton’s second law says F->net=ma->. So is ma-> a force? Explain.
-> is a top bar arrow.
Homework Equations
F=ma or Fnet=ma
The Attempt at a Solution
(F) is a force and (m) is mass and (a) is acceleration. I don't really know what else this question is asking...
Yes like how pounds = kilograms but both are classified as "weight/mass units" instead of totally different unit types like length units vs mass/weight units. The equal sign does imply that they are equal but I don't think they are. Well wolfram alpha says this they are all physical quantities and force is a mass length unit per time^2 and together mass and acceleration equals a mass length unit per time^2. Therefore both are equal forces.can a physical quantity of one type be equal to a physical quantity of another type?
Pounds and kgs are unit systems for entities of the same type (mass). (Unless you mean to allow pounds force here, in which case pounds force cannot be equated to kgs).wein7145 said:Yes like how pounds = kilograms but both are classified as "weight/mass units" instead of totally different unit types like length units vs mass/weight units. The equal sign does imply that they are equal but I don't think they are. Well wolfram alpha says this they are all physical quantities and force is a mass length unit per time^2 and together mass and acceleration equals a mass length unit per time^2. Therefore both are equal forces.
Most basic Physical concepts originate in observation and senses. You see the difference between light and dark, and human brain created the concept "light", without knowing, what light really is. You hear things, from this sense came the concept of sound. You feel something when you hit or push or pull an other body: From this feeling came the concept of force, "interaction between objects". It is observed that stretching out or compressing a spring needs force. If you compress the same spring with the same length you feel the same "force". If you connect a body to the compressed spring and release, the body will accelerate. If you halve the body its acceleration is twice it was before. It was concluded from many observations that the force is proportional to the acceleration it causes. F=ma, and m is defined as the factor of proportionality: m=F/a.Exordium said:I don't know how to give 'force' any meaningful interpretation. I can only describe it using dimensional analysis, which inevitably makes me answer that 'force' is (ontologically and metaphysically, if that makes sense) exactly the same thing as 'mass times acceleration'. Actually, what meaningful interpretation could there even be of "m*a"?