What is the unit of force in the SI system?

The unit of force in the SI (International System of Units) is the Newton (N). This unit is defined as the amount of force required to accelerate a one-kilogram mass by one meter per second squared. This relationship comes from Newton's second law of motion, which states that force equals mass times acceleration (F = m * a).

The Newton is a derived SI unit, where 1 N = 1 kg·m/s². Therefore, when applying a force of one Newton, you are applying enough force to change the motion of a mass of one kilogram at an acceleration of one meter per second squared.

Understanding this unit is crucial in physics because it provides a fundamental measure of how forces interact in various contexts, such as mechanics, dynamics, and even in engineering applications. Other units listed, such as the Joule (which measures energy), the Pound (a unit of force commonly used in the imperial system), and the Pascal (which measures pressure), do not serve as measures of force in the SI system.