newton

A newton (N) is the SI unit used to measure force—how strong a push or pull is.

• One newton is the force needed to make a 1-kilogram object speed up by 1 metre per second every second. This is written as: 1 N = 1 kg·m/s².
• For example, a small apple has a weight of about 1 newton because Earth pulls it downward with that force.
• A stronger push, such as kicking a football, involves more newtons. A gentle tap uses only a small force.
• The unit is named after Sir Isaac Newton, the scientist who studied motion, gravity, and forces.
• The symbol is a capital N, even though the word newton is written with a small n: for example, 15 N.

Measuring force in newtons helps scientists compare pushes and pulls accurately, whether they come from hands, machines, magnets, or gravity.