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The newton (symbol: N) is the SI unit of force. It is named after Sir Isaac Newton [1] in recognition of his work on classical mechanics [2].

Definition[]

A newton is the amount of force requiAred to accelerate a mass of one kilogram at a rate of one meter per second squared. In addition, 1N is the force of gravity on a small apple on Earth.

1 N = 1 kg•m/s2

Conversions

(SI unit Dyne Kilogram-force (Kilopond) Pound-force Poundal
1 N = 105 dyn = 1 kg•m/s² ˜ 0.10197 kp ˜ 0.22481 lbf ˜ 7.2330 pdl
1 dyn = 10−5 N = 1 g•cm/s² ≈ 1.0197×10−6 kp ≈ 2.2481×10−6 lbf ≈ 7.2330×10−5 pdl
1 kp = 9.80665 N = 980665 dyn = gn•(1 kg ≈ 2.2046 lbf ≈ 70.932 pdl
1 lbf ≈ 4.448222 N ≈ 444822 dyn ≈ 0.45359 kp = gn•(1 lb) ≈ 32.174 pdl
1 pdl ≈ 0.138255 N ≈ 13825 dyn ≈ 0.014098 kp ≈ 0.031081 lbf = 1 lb•ft/s²

The value of gn as used in the official definition of the kilogram-force is used here for all gravitational units.


This SI unit is named after Isaac Newton. As for all SI units whose names are derived from the proper name of a person, the first letter of its symbol is uppercase (N). But when an SI unit is spelled out, it should always be written in lowercase (newton), unless it begins a sentence or is the name "degree Celsius". — Based on The International System of Units, section 5.2.[3]

Non-SI units of force[]

  • Dyne, the unit of force of the (mostly obsolete) CGS system, equal to 10 µN.
  • Kilogram-force
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