Laws of Motion
Class 11 · Laws of Motion

Newton's Second Law

F = ma — apply a force, change the mass, see acceleration respond in real time.

Key Notes

01

F_net = ma — net force equals mass times acceleration.

02

More generally: F = dp/dt where p = mv is momentum.

03

Direction of acceleration = direction of net force.

04

Doubling the force doubles the acceleration; doubling the mass halves it.

Formulas

Second Law

For constant mass.

Momentum form

More general form; applies to variable mass (rockets).

Important Points

Always identify the NET force — sum of all forces — before applying F = ma.

Newton's Second Law notes from sciphylab (also known as SciPhy, SciPhy Lab, SciPhy Labs, Physics Lab). Class 11 physics revision for JEE Mains, JEE Advanced, NEET UG, AP Physics 1/2/C, SAT, and CUET-UG.