Enter the mass and acceleration of an object and the reference force into the calculator to determine the relative force.

Relative Force Formula

The following equation is used to calculate the Relative Force.

RF = m*a / F
  • Where RF is the relative force (relative to F)
  • m is the mass (kg)
  • a is the acceleration (m/s^2)
  • F is the base force (point of reference)

To calculate the relative force, multiply the mass by the acceleration, then divide by the base force.

What is a Relative Force?

Definition:

Relative force is a term that describes the magnitude of a force compared to the forces acting upon an object.

How to Calculate Relative Force?

Example Problem:

The following example outlines the steps and information needed to calculate Relative Force.

First, determine the mass. In this example, the mass of the object is 50 kg.

Next, determine the acceleration. In this case, the acceleration is 20 m/s^2.

Next, determine the reference force. The reference force for this example is 2000 N.

Finally, calculate the relative force using the formula above:

RF = m*a / F

RF = 50*20 / 2000

RF = .50

FAQ

What is the significance of calculating relative force?

Calculating relative force is significant because it allows for the comparison of the magnitude of a force acting on an object relative to a reference force. This is crucial in fields like engineering and physics, where understanding the effects of different forces on structures or objects is essential for design, safety, and functionality.

Can relative force be negative?

Yes, relative force can be negative. This occurs when the direction of the force being measured is opposite to the direction of the reference force. A negative value indicates that the force acts in the opposite direction relative to the reference force.

How does the choice of reference force affect the calculated relative force?

The choice of reference force significantly affects the calculated relative force. A larger reference force will result in a smaller relative force value for the same force being measured, and vice versa. Therefore, selecting an appropriate reference force is crucial for meaningful comparisons and analyses.