Enter the mass, initial velocity, final velocity, and change in time into the calculator to determine the average force.

Average Force Formula

The following formula is used to calculate the average force of a moving object. 

F = m * (Vf - Vi) / t
  • Where F is the average force (N)
  • m is the mass (kg)
  • Vf is the final velocity (m/s)
  • Vi is the initial velocity (m/s)
  • t is the change in time

To calculate average force, multiply the mass by the difference in velocity, then divide by time.

Average Force Definition

Force is an interaction that causes a change in motion of an object. In other words, a force applied to an object causes that object to change in velocity. Note that this is a change in velocity, not just a change in position. Objects can change position when under a constant velocity but with no force.

The average force more specifically is the average amount of force that would have been applied to a certain object to increase its speed from an initial to final velocity over a given time. In reality, the force may have been variable, but the result would be the same with the calculated average force.

Average Force Example

How to calculate average force?

  1. First, determine the mass.

    For this example the object is measured at 10kg.

  2. Next, determine the initial velocity.

    In this example, the object is at rest initially, so the velocity is 0m/s.

  3. Next, determine the final velocity.

    The final velocity is 20m/s.

  4. Next, determine the change in time.

    It took 5 seconds to increase the speed to 20m/s.

  5. Finally, calculate the average force.

    The average force is calculated to be 10 * (20-0) / 5 = 40.

FAQ

What is average force?

An average force is the average amount of force over a certain amount of time that is required to move an object from an initial velocity to a final velocity.