The unit of force

The idea

The SI unit of force is the newton, written with a small 'n', and its symbol is N.

Measuring a force

Length is measured in metres and mass in kilograms. A force is measured in its own unit.

What do you think the unit of force is?

• A unit with its own name
• The metre
• The kilogram

Sort by unit

Tap the bin where each quantity belongs.

A unit with a name

Forces are measured in newton. The name is written with a small 'n', but its symbol is a capital N.

The SI unit of force is the newton, written with a small 'n'. Its symbol is N.

• Quantity | Unit | Symbol
• Force | newton | N

Notes

The SI unit of force is the newton, written with a small 'n'. Its symbol is N.

Check yourself

What is the SI unit of force?

What is the symbol of the unit of force?

How is the name of the unit written?

How do we write a force of 5 newton?

• The newton — correct. Yes!
• The kilogram. The kilogram is a unit of mass.
• The metre. The metre is a unit of length.
• n. The unit's name is written with a small n. Its symbol is a capital N.
• N — correct. Yes!
• kg. kg is the symbol for kilogram, a unit of mass.
• Newton, with a capital 'N'. The name is written with a small 'n'.
• NEWTON, in capitals. The name is written with a small 'n'.
• newton, with a small 'n' — correct. Yes!
• 5 N — correct. Yes!
• 5 n. The symbol is a capital N.
• 5 kg. kg is for mass. Force is in newton.