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PhysicsClassical Physics

State the Second Law of Motion: Meaning, Formula, and Conditions

Newton’s second law relates net external force to momentum change and reduces to net force equals mass times acceleration when the system mass is constant.

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State Newton's second law of motion.

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Evidence boundary

This answer uses classical mechanics in an inertial reference frame and requires a defined system boundary. The familiar sum of external forces equals mass times acceleration form assumes constant mass. The momentum-rate form applies directly to a closed material system. Variable-mass or open-system problems require careful treatment of momentum carried across the system boundary.