In physics, a force is an action that can cause an object to change its velocity or its shape, or to resist other forces, or to cause changes of pressure in a fluid. In mechanics, force makes ideas like ' pushing' or ' pulling' mathematically precise. The meaning of FORCE is strength or energy exerted or brought to bear : cause of motion or change : active power.

Understanding the Context

How to use force in a sentence. Synonym Discussion of Force. Force, in mechanics, any action that tends to maintain or alter the motion of a body or to distort it. The concept of force is commonly explained in terms of Isaac Newton’s three laws of motion.

Key Insights

Because force has both magnitude and direction, it is a vector quantity. In physics and other sciences, a force is a push or pull on a mass that can change the object’s motion. Force is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. The symbol for force is the capitol letter F. A famous example of an equation for force is Newton’s second law: F = m*a.

Final Thoughts

Here F is force, m is mass, and a is acceleration. Therefore, Force can be defined as a push, pull, or impact that causes a change in an object's motion. It is exerted by one object on another, influencing its speed, direction, or shape. A force is a push or pull that acts upon an object as a result of that objects interactions with its surroundings. In this Lesson, The Physics Classroom differentiates between the various types of forces that an object could encounter.