Metres per second squared is the SI derived unit of acceleration (scalar) and (vector), defined by distance in metres divided by time in seconds and again divided by time in seconds. The unit is written in symbols as m/s2 or m·s-2 or m s-2. It may be better understood when phrased as "metres per second, per second", i.e. the increase in speed (in metres per second), that is achieved each second.
The SI derived unit of force, the newton, is equal to one "kilogram metre per second squared", meaning that a force of one newton is needed to give an acceleration of one metre per second squared to a mass of one kilogram. This is an illustration of Newton's second law (see Newton's laws of motion) in its simplest form, where acceleration is defined as the rate of change of velocity.
See also
Last updated: 10-23-2005 02:31:35
