According to Newton 's second law of motion , as expressed in the formula 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 . Per Sir Isaac Newtonâ 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 .