What is Newton's second law of motion?

Newton's second law of motion is fundamentally encapsulated in the equation F = ma, which means that the force acting on an object is equal to the mass of that object multiplied by its acceleration. This law explains how the velocity of an object changes when it is subjected to an external force. The relationship shows that the greater the mass of an object, the more force is required to achieve the same acceleration; conversely, for a given force, a less massive object will accelerate more than a more massive one. This underlines the idea that acceleration results from the net forces acting on the object, and it is pivotal in understanding dynamics in physics.

In essence, this formula provides a precise quantitative framework for predicting how objects will move when forces are applied, making it a cornerstone of classical mechanics and a key principle to grasp in both theoretical and applied physics contexts.