A newton (N) is the unit of force in the International System of Units (SI). It is defined as the amount of force required to accelerate a mass of one kilogram at a rate of one meter per second squared. This means that if you push an object with a force of one newton, it will accelerate at that rate if it has a mass of one kilogram. The concept of newtons is named after Sir Isaac Newton, a prominent physicist and mathematician known for his laws of motion. Understanding newtons is essential in fields like physics and engineering, where calculating forces is crucial for designing structures and understanding motion.