= Unit of force
A <unit of force> specifies the reference magnitude used to express a <force>. The SI derived unit is the <newton>, defined by $1\,\mathrm N=1\,\mathrm{kg\,m\,s^{-2}}$, consistent with <Newton's second law>.
A <force> of one newton gives a one-kilogram body an <acceleration> of one metre per second squared when it is the net applied <force>. A <kilogram> is a <unit of mass>, so it cannot replace the newton without also specifying an <acceleration> or a conventional gravitational reference.<The International System of Units (SI), ninth edition, SI Brochure>[§2.3.4, derived units with special names]{ref}
Back to article page