Flashcards on Newton's First Law: The Law of Inertia



What is another name for Newton's First Law of Motion?

The Law of Inertia.

What does Newton's First Law of Motion state?

An object will remain at rest or in uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force.

How does Newton's First Law relate to the concept of inertia?

Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion, which is described by Newton's First Law.

What happens to a moving object if no external force acts on it, according to Newton's First Law?

It will continue to move in a straight line at a constant speed.

What is meant by 'uniform motion' as described in Newton's First Law?

Motion at a constant speed in a straight line.

Give an everyday example of Newton's First Law of Motion.

A book resting on a table will stay at rest unless someone moves it.

Why do passengers tend to jolt forward when a car stops suddenly?

Due to inertia, their bodies resist the change in motion and continue moving forward.

How can you stop an object in motion according to Newton’s First Law?

By applying an external force, like friction or a physical push.

How does friction relate to Newton's First Law?

Friction is the external force that can stop or slow down an object, counteracting inertia.

What role does mass play in inertia?

Greater mass means greater inertia, making it harder to change the object's motion.

What would happen if there were no external forces acting on a moving object?

The object would continue moving at the same speed in the same direction indefinitely.

What kind of force is necessary to change the state of motion of an object at rest?

An unbalanced force.

Is Newton's First Law applicable in space? Why or why not?

Yes, because there are minimal external forces like air resistance and gravity to affect motion.

Why does a rolling ball eventually stop, contradicting Newton's First Law?

It stops because friction acts as an external force, opposing its motion.

What does Newton's First Law imply about the motion of celestial bodies?

Without significant external forces, celestial bodies continue in their motion through space.