An object with a mass ( m ) of one kilogram will accelerate ( a ) at one meter per second per second when acted upon by a force ( F ) of one newton . This about one-tenth the acceleration due to earthâ s gravity . According to Sir Isaac Newton 's - year-old laws of motion and an important formula that sprang from his work , an object with a mass , m , of one kilogram will accelerate , a , at one meter per second per second ( about one-tenth the acceleration due to earthâ s gravity ) when acted upon by a force , F , of one newton .