This diagram covers Newton's Second Law in Action within Newton's Laws of Motion for GCSE Physics. Revise Newton's Laws of Motion in Forces for GCSE Physics with 13 exam-style questions and 15 flashcards. This is a high-frequency topic, so it is worth revising until the explanation feels precise and repeatable. It is section 5 of 15 in this topic. Focus on the labels, the relationships between parts, and the explanation that turns the diagram into an exam-ready answer.
Topic position
Section 5 of 15
Practice
13 questions
Recall
15 flashcards
📊 Newton's Second Law in Action
SAME FORCE, DIFFERENT MASSES: (100 N applied to each)
| Object | Mass | Force | Calculation | Acceleration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Light box | 10 kg | 100 N | a = 100/10 | 10 m/s² |
| Heavy box | 50 kg | 100 N | a = 100/50 | 2 m/s² |
Lighter object accelerates MORE with same force
SAME MASS, DIFFERENT FORCES: (20 kg object)
| Scenario | Mass | Force | Calculation | Acceleration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Small push | 20 kg | 50 N | a = 50/20 | 2.5 m/s² |
| Big push | 20 kg | 200 N | a = 200/20 | 10 m/s² |
More force = MORE acceleration
Quick Check: A resultant force of 60 N acts on a 12 kg trolley. What is its acceleration?
a = F ÷ m = 60 ÷ 12 = 5 m/s². Always use the RESULTANT force (the net combined force), not just any individual force.