Definition:Force

Definition

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

Force is a vector quantity.

Dimension

The dimension of measurement of force is $M L T^{-2}$.

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

Units

The units of measurement of force are as follows:

• 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 is derived from the Latin word fors meaning strength.

Sources

• 1966: Isaac Asimov: Understanding Physics: $\text{I}$: Chapter $3$
• 1968: Murray R. Spiegel: Mathematical Handbook of Formulas and Tables ... (previous) ... (next): $\S 22$: Vectors and Scalars