Average force catching a 0.43 kg football at 25 m/s over 0.2 m

Answer: average impact force = 671.9 N (in kilonewtons 0.672 kN, as multiples of the object's weight 159.3 × weight).

What we know

  • Mass: 0.43 kg
  • Impact speed: 25 m/s
  • Stopping distance: 0.2 m

Step by step

Given
m = 0.43 kg, v = 25 m/s, d = 0.2 m
Formula
F = m·v² / (2·d)
Substitute
F = 0.43 × 25² / (2 × 0.2)
Result
F = 671.9 N

All results

Average impact force671.9 N
In kilonewtons0.672 kN
As multiples of the object's weight159.3 × weight

Open the impact force calculator with these numbers → and change any of them.

The physics

When a moving object is brought to rest, its kinetic energy (½mv²) is absorbed over the stopping distance. Work equals force times distance, so the average force is the energy divided by that distance: F = ½mv² / d. The shorter the stop, the larger the force — which is the whole reason crumple zones, crash mats and packaging exist.

Standard acceleration of gravity →