In biomechanics, what is the unit of force?

The unit of force in biomechanics is the Newton. This unit is defined as the amount of force necessary to accelerate a mass of one kilogram at a rate of one meter per second squared. The formula for force is derived from Newton's second law of motion, which states that force equals mass times acceleration (F = ma). Therefore, when considering how forces act on the body and impact movement, understanding and measuring force in Newtons is crucial.

The Pascal, on the other hand, is a unit of pressure, which quantifies force per unit area, and is not directly used to measure force itself. The Joule is a unit of energy, defined as the work done when a force of one Newton displaces an object one meter, so while it relates to force through work, it does not represent force directly. Finally, the Watt is the unit of power, which is defined as one Joule per second, and thus measures the rate at which work is done rather than the force itself. Therefore, in the context of biomechanics and understanding forces, the Newton is the fundamental unit required.