Here's a breakdown:

* Newton's Second Law: This law states that force (F) is directly proportional to mass (m) and acceleration (a).

* Formula: F = m * a

* Units:

* Force (F) is measured in newtons (N)

* Mass (m) is measured in kilograms (kg)

* Acceleration (a) is measured in meters per second squared (m/s²)

Therefore, one newton is the force required to accelerate a one-kilogram mass at a rate of one meter per second squared.