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System equation

Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Verified for the 2027 exam

Verified for the 2027 exam•Written by the Fiveable Content Team • Last updated August 2025

Definition

An equation that describes the motion of an entire system by combining Newton's second law for individual objects, using the total mass and net external force.

AP course connection

Topic 2.1: 2.1 Systems and Center of Mass

Unit 2

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