Newton's first law of motion

Newton's first law of motion

Lessons

In this lesson, we will learn:
  • Newton's first law of motion
  • Inertia
  • Explaining physical phenomena using Newton's first law and inertia

Notes:

  • Newton's first law of motion can be stated as "if no net force acts on an object, then the velocity of the object does not change."
  • Net force is a vector sum of forces acting on an object.
  • Newton's first law is also called the law of inertia. Inertia is an idea that originated from Galileo, which says that objects have a tendency to resist changes in their motion:
    • Objects in motion will tend to stay in motion by continuing at their velocity in a straight line, and objects at rest tend to stay at rest.
    • Objects with more mass have "more inertia". It is more difficult to get a more massive object change its velocity by speeding up, slowing down, or changing direction.
  • Introduction
    Introduction to Newton's first law
    a)
    What is Newton's first law?

    b)
    What is inertia?

  • 1.

    Explain physical observations using Newton's first law and inertia

    Explain using Newton's 1st1^{st} Law or inertia:

    a)
    True or false: a vase sitting still on a desk has no horizontal forces acting on it. Explain your answer.

    b)
    Why do you press against your seatbelt when you are in a car that stops suddenly?

    c)
    A shopping cart is pushed at a constant velocity of 1.5 m/s with a force of 40 N. What is the net force acting on the cart?

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37.
Forces
37.1
Newton's first law of motion
37.2
Newton's second law of motion
37.3
Multiple forces acting on an object
37.4
Newton's third law of motion
37.5
Friction: Static and kinetic
AS-Level Maths