A newton is a unit of force in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined as the amount of force required to accelerate a one-kilogram mass by one meter per second squared. Therefore, "17 newtons" represents a force that can accelerate a mass of 17 kilograms at a rate of one meter per second squared. In practical terms, 17 newtons can be visualized as the force needed to lift a small object, such as a bag of groceries. For example, if you have a bag weighing about 1.7 kilograms, it would require approximately 17 newtons of force to lift it against the force of gravity, which is represented by the acceleration due to gravity, or 9.81 m/s².