A push or pull that can change the shape or motion of an object, measured in newtons (N), is defined as which term?

A push or pull that can change the shape or motion of an object, measured in newtons (N), is defined as which term?

• A. Power
• B. Energy
• C. Force
• D. Momentum

Answer: (C)

A push or pull that can change the shape or motion of an object, measured in newtons, is force. This interaction can cause an object to accelerate, described by F = ma, where a is acceleration and m is mass. The newton unit defines how strong that interaction must be to produce the acceleration: one newton is the force needed to accelerate a 1 kg mass by 1 m/s^2. This concept is distinct from energy (the ability to do work), power (the rate of doing work), and momentum (mass times velocity). Force is the cause of motion or deformation, making it the correct term here.

A push or pull that can change the shape or motion of an object, measured in newtons, is force. This interaction can cause an object to accelerate, described by F = ma, where a is acceleration and m is mass. The newton unit defines how strong that interaction must be to produce the acceleration: one newton is the force needed to accelerate a 1 kg mass by 1 m/s^2. This concept is distinct from energy (the ability to do work), power (the rate of doing work), and momentum (mass times velocity). Force is the cause of motion or deformation, making it the correct term here.