Newton's First Law: The Law of Inertia

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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.





Test Your Knowledge

Select the correct option


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

The Law of Inertia.

The Law of Acceleration.

The Law of Equal and Opposite Reaction.

The Law of Gravity.

2. What does Newton's First Law of Motion state?

An object will accelerate in the direction of the applied force.

An object in motion tends to interact with other objects.

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

For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.

3. 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.

Inertia is the result of the interaction between action and reaction forces.

Inertia is the cause of the attraction between masses.

Inertia is not related to Newton's Laws.

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

It will accelerate exponentially.

It will eventually stop due to internal forces.

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

It will fall due to gravity.

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

Motion that fluctuates in speed and direction regularly.

Motion at a constant speed in a straight line.

Motion that changes speed based on mass.

Motion that involves circular trajectories.

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

A rolling ball speeding up by itself.

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

A balloon rising when filled with helium.

Planets orbiting the sun.

7. 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.

Because of the gravitational pull forward.

Due to the car's speed transforming into forward momentum.

Due to the engine's power shifting forward.

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

By increasing the object's speed.

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

By adding more mass to the object.

By changing its color.

9. How does friction relate to Newton's First Law?

Friction ensures uniform motion.

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

Friction increases an object's acceleration.

Friction has no relation to the law.

10. What role does mass play in inertia?

Mass does not affect inertia.

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

Mass reduces the effect of inertia.

Mass converts inertia into energy.

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

The object would spiral inward.

The object would explode.

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

The object would slow down and stop.

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

An unbalanced force.

A balanced force.

A gravitational force only.

No force is necessary.

13. 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.

No, because space lacks the conditions for inertia.

Yes, because objects are more mobile there.

No, because light travels faster than inertia in space.

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

Because of the magnetic attraction it experiences.

Because internal forces cause it to halt.

Because the ball loses its energy.

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

15. 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.

Celestial bodies move randomly without inclination.

Celestial bodies are constantly accelerating.

They remain stationary in the absence of force.