Definition:Force

Definition
A force is an influence which causes a body to undergo a change in velocity.

Force is a vector quantity.

Dimension
It has dimension $$M L T^{-2}$$.

This arises from Newton's Second Law and its definition as a mass (of dimension $$M$$) multiplied by an acceleration (of dimension $$L T^{-2}$$).

Units

 * The SI unit of force is the newton $$\mathrm N$$:
 * $$1 \ \mathrm N = 1 \ \mathrm{kg} \ \mathrm{m} \ \mathrm{s}^{-2}$$


 * The CGS unit of force is the dyne $$\mathrm {dyn}$$:
 * $$1 \ \mathrm {dyn} = 1 \ \mathrm{g} \ \mathrm{cm} \ \mathrm{s}^{-2}$$

Thus we see:
 * $$1 \ \mathrm N = 10^5 \ \mathrm {dyn}$$

Also see

 * Newton's Laws of Motion

Linguistic Note
The word force comes from the Latin word meaning strength.