Eli5 Why is force equal to mass multiplied by acceleration and not speed ?

Question

If a car moves consistently at 80 kmh and it weighs at 600kg, is it not generating any force? since you know, a=0, am I stupid or is Newton ?

In: 13

Answer 1

The force in the equation is not the force it will apply if it hits something. It is the force required to get that something moving (or slowed down).