Force measured as this specific type of metric unit. Force due to gravity also uses this unit of weight. One newton is defined as the force needed to accelerate a one kilogram mass at a one meter per second per second rate. It equals about 0.22 pounds or 0.10 kilograms of force, 7.23 poundals, or 105 dynes. The UK scientist Sir Issac Newton (1642-1727) is its namesake.