Name: newton's first law and inertia
Uploaded: 2023-04-30T10:53:06.000Z
Duration: 1 min 17 s
Channel: JoVE

K12 Standards

north-carolina-k-12-science-standard-course-of-study

North Carolina K-12 Science Standard Course of Study

9-12

Physics

motion-and-stability-forces-and-interactions

Motion and Stability- Forces and Interactions

PS.Phy.2.2

Newton's First Law: Introduction

Before Galileo and Newton, scientists held a 2000-year-old belief that objects have a natural tendency to come to rest if left alone.
Also, a constant force is necessary to keep them moving.
Galileo disproved this idea with a thought experiment using a bronze ball that is rolled over smooth double inclined planes.
A ball rolled down from the first plane runs up the same height on the second plane.
If the second plane has a smaller inclination angle, the ball moves to a longer distance to reach the same height.
If the second plane is horizontal, the ball should keep moving forever to reach the same height.
Galileo concluded that force is not required to keep a body in motion.
Newton summarized these and other observations in three laws of motion that are fundamental to mechanics.
The first law states that every object remains stationary or under a constant velocity unless acted on by a net external force.

newton's first law: introduction

Motion draws our attention. Motion itself can be beautiful, causing us to marvel at the forces needed to create spectacular sights, such as that of a dolphin jumping out of the water, the flight of a bird, or the orbit of a satellite. The study of motion is kinematics, but kinematics only describes the way objects move&#8212;their velocity and acceleration. Dynamics considers the forces that affect the motion of moving objects and systems. Newton&#39;s laws of motion are the foundation of dynamics. These laws provide examples of the breadth and simplicity of the principles under which nature functions. They are also universal laws, in that they apply to similar situations on Earth and in space. Isaac Newton&#39;s (1642&#8211;1727 AD) laws of motion were just one aspect of the monumental work that has made him legendary. The development of Newton&#39;s laws marked the transition from the Renaissance to the modern era. This transition was characterized by a revolutionary change in the way people thought about the physical universe. For centuries, natural philosophers had debated the nature of the universe based mainly on certain rules of logic, with great weight given to the thoughts of earlier classical philosophers such as Aristotle (384&#8211;322 BC). Among the many great thinkers who contributed to this change were Newton and Galileo.
Galileo (1564-1642 AD) contributed to the formation of what is now called Newton&#39;s first law of motion. Newton made use of the work of his predecessors, which enabled him to develop laws of motion, discover the law of gravity, invent calculus, and make great contributions to the theories of light and color. Amazingly, many of these developments were made with Newton working alone, without the benefit of the peer interactions that take place among scientists today.
Newton&#39;s first law of motion suggests that a body stays in the same state, whether at rest or in motion (moving with constant velocity), until or unless an external force is applied to it. Note the expression &#8220;constant velocity&#8221;; this means that the body maintains a path along a straight line since neither the magnitude nor the direction of the velocity vector changes. Newton&#39;s first law says that there must be a cause for any change in velocity (a change in either magnitude or direction) to occur. We can think of this law as preserving the status quo of motion. It is general, and can be applied to anything from an object sliding on a table, to a satellite in orbit, to blood pumped from the heart. Experiments have verified that any change in velocity (speed or direction) must be caused by an external force.
This text is adapted from <a href="https://openstax.org/books/college-physics/pages/4-introduction-to-dynamics-newtons-laws-of-motion">Openstax, College Physics, Section 4.0: Introduction to Dynamics: Newton&#39;s Laws of Motion</a> and <a href="https://openstax.org/books/university-physics-volume-1/pages/5-2-newtons-first-law">Openstax University Physics, Section 5.2: Newton&#39;s First Law.</a>

Motion draws our attention. Motion itself can be beautiful, causing us to marvel at the forces needed to create spectacular sights, such as that of a ...

Education

JoVE Core

Unit 1

Newton's Laws of Motion

KEY TERMS AND CONCEPTS

newton's first law and inertia

Newton's first law of motion explains inertia and how forces change motion. Motion can be striking to observe, from a dolphin jumping from water to a bird in flight or a satellite moving in orbit. The study of motion is kinematics, which describes velocity and acceleration. Dynamics goes further by examining the forces that affect moving objects and systems.

Newton's laws of motion are the foundation of dynamics. They are simple in form, but they describe a wide range of natural behavior. These laws are also universal, so they apply to similar situations on Earth and in space. Isaac Newton's laws became part of a major shift in science as people moved from older ideas based mainly on logic and classical philosophers such as Aristotle to a more modern view of the physical universe.

Galileo also helped shape what is now called Newton's first law. Newton built on the work of earlier scientists, including Galileo, and used that foundation to develop his laws of motion. His work also led to the law of gravity, calculus, and major advances in light and color. Remarkably, much of this work was done while Newton worked alone, without the peer interaction that scientists have today.

Newton's first law says that an object stays at rest or keeps moving with constant velocity unless an external force acts on it. Constant velocity means the object moves in a straight line with no change in speed or direction. The law states that any change in velocity must have a cause. In that way, it preserves the current state of motion.

This law applies to many situations. A sliding object on a table, a satellite in orbit, and blood pumped from the heart all follow the same rule. Experiments have shown that changes in speed or direction are caused by external forces. That makes Newton's first law a basic idea for understanding motion in physics.

Newton's First Law and Inertia

force

Understanding Force in Motion

Force is a push or pull that acts on an object. It has both magnitude and direction, so force is a vector quantity. In everyday life, force appears when we open a door, walk down a street, lift a fork, or touch a baby's face. Forces also shape matter at the smallest scales. The atoms in our bodies are held together by electrical forces. The nucleus of an atom is held together by nuclear force, which is the strongest force known to us. The study of motion is called kinematics. Kinematics...

types of forces

Contact and Field Forces in Physics

Forces in physics are often grouped as contact forces and field forces. Contact forces happen when objects touch directly. Field forces act without direct physical contact. They come from a field, which is a region of space that can be detected by the force it exerts on a body. Scientists describe four fundamental force fields in nature: gravitational, electromagnetic, strong nuclear, and weak nuclear. The gravitational field gives a body its weight. The electromagnetic field includes static...

Newton's first law of motion explains inertia and how forces change motion. Motion can be striking to observe, from a dolphin jumping from water to a bird in flight or a satellite moving in orbit. The study of motion is kinematics, which describes velocity and acceleration. Dynamics goes further by examining the forces that affect moving objects and systems. Newton's laws of motion are the foundation of dynamics. They are simple in form, but they describe a wide range of natural behavior.

newton's first law: application

Newton's First Law and Friction

Newton's first law explains why friction changes an object's motion. It says that an object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion keeps moving unless a net external force acts on it. A net external force is the overall force from outside the object that causes a change in velocity, meaning a change in speed or direction. This idea gives a cause-and-effect reason for motion, rather than just describing what we see. Galileo first developed the idea behind the first law of motion, and...

internal and external forces

External Forces and Motion Changes

External forces and motion changes are linked in Newton’s first law. A net external force causes a change in motion. External forces act on an object or system from outside that object or system. Internal forces come from inside the system of interest. They act on one part of an object and are exerted by another part of the same object. These forces do not cause acceleration when the whole system is studied. When analyzing motion, the internal forces are ignored. Instead, only the external...

newton's second law

Force, Mass, and Acceleration

Newton's second law connects net force, mass, and acceleration. It explains how an object's motion changes when external forces act on it. The law gives a clear cause-and-effect link that can be used to make calculations. All external forces on a system are added together to find the net force, or F net. A larger net external force produces a larger acceleration. The acceleration points in the same direction as the net force. Mass also affects the result. A larger mass means more inertia, so...

mass and weight

Weight Changes, Mass Stays Constant

Mass and weight are related, but they are not the same. In physics, weight is the pull of the Earth on an object. It depends on how far the object is from the center of the Earth. Mass is the amount of matter in an object, and it does not change with location. Everyday language can make this difference confusing. Medical records often list body weight in kilograms, even though the correct force unit is the newton. That can make mass and weight seem interchangeable. In physics, however, they...

weightlessness

Weightlessness in Free Fall

Weightlessness happens when contact forces disappear, even though gravity is still present. In physics, an object in free fall has only gravity acting on it. If the net external force on the object is its weight, the object is accelerating toward the center of the Earth. Galileo showed that, without air resistance, all objects fall with the same acceleration g. On Earth, falling objects are never truly in free fall because air always pushes upward with some resistance force. That is why real...

apparent weight

Scale Readings in Motion and Water

Scale readings can change when an object is moving or submerged in water. The force we call true weight is the gravitational force acting on an object. When motion or fluid forces are present, the reading can differ from that true weight. In water, this changed reading is called apparent weight, and it equals true weight minus the buoyant force. A bathroom scale in an elevator shows how this works. At rest, the scale reads the force the person pushes downward on it. The only forces on the...

/files/media/science-education/science-education-thumbs/14695.jpg

newton's third law: introduction

Newton's Third Law in Force Pairs

Newton's third law explains how force pairs work in motion and interactions. When one body exerts a force on a second body, the first body experiences a force that is equal in magnitude and opposite in direction. A simple example is a person pushing on a wall. The wall pushes back on the person with an equal and opposite force. This is why Newton's third law is often described as action and reaction, where the action is the force exerted and the reaction is the force experienced afterward. <br...

newton's third law: examples

Newton's Third Law in Motion

Newton's third law explains how forces come in pairs during motion. It says that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. In these examples, the two forces act on different systems, so they do not cancel each other out. A swimmer pushing off the side of a pool shows this clearly. The swimmer pushes against the wall with their feet and then accelerates in the opposite direction. The wall pushes back with an equal and opposite force. If the swimmer is the system of interest, the wall's...

drawing free-body diagrams: rules

Free-Body Diagrams for Newton’s Laws

Free-body diagrams help students map the forces acting on an object in physics. They are used often when studying and applying Newton’s laws of motion. A clear diagram makes it easier to analyze a system before solving for motion. Start by drawing the object under consideration. If the object is treated like a particle, show it as a point and place that point at the origin of an x-y coordinate system. Then add every force that acts on the object as a vector. Do not include the net force on the...

free body diagrams: examples

Free Body Diagram Force Examples

Free body diagrams show the external forces acting on an object or system. The object is drawn as a single isolated point, or free body, so the forces are easier to analyze. Only forces that come from outside the object or system are included. These forces are shown as vectors pointing away from the free body. A person sitting on a chair is a simple example. The free-body diagram has two forces. The chair exerts an upward normal force, and gravity pulls downward with the weight. A rocket sled...

inertial frames of reference

Newton's First Law and Reference Frames

Newton's first law helps identify inertial reference frames. An inertial reference frame is one in which Newton's first law holds true. In that frame, an object with no net force moves at constant velocity. A key idea is that any frame moving at constant velocity relative to an inertial frame is also inertial. For that reason, inertial frames can be found by comparing motion from one frame to another. The laws of physics do not give one inertial frame special status over another. In nature, a...

non-inertial frames of reference

Why Motion Seems Different in Accelerating Frames

A non-inertial frame of reference is a frame that accelerates, decelerates, or rotates relative to an inertial frame. In these frames, motion can look unusual because the observer is moving with the system. That is why an airplane taking off, a car turning a corner, a merry-go-round, and a tropical cyclone can all be examples of non-inertial motion. These situations can show inertial forces, which seem to appear because the frame itself is accelerating or rotating. The force does not come from...

centrifugal force

Rotating Frames and Pseudo Forces

Pseudo forces, also called fictitious forces, appear in a rotating frame of reference when compared with an inertial frame. They are not real forces. Instead, they are mathematical tools that help make Newton&amp;#39;s laws of motion easier to use in a non-inertial frame. Common examples include centrifugal, Coriolis, and Euler forces. These forces matter in mechanics, astrophysics, and fluid dynamics. In these areas, motion is often described from a frame that is not inertial. That is why...

/files/media/science-education/science-education-thumbs/14696.jpg

key terms and concepts

Explore Newton's first law, inertia, and how external forces change motion. See how constant velocity, straight-line motion, and real-world examples fit together.

Newton's First Law and Inertia | JoVE K12

physics

JoVE Core Physics introduces the theory and application of fundamental physics topics, including kinematics, dynamics, fluid mechanics, statics, waves, and acoustics, with concise and easy-to-understand animated videos. Additionally, the scientist-in-action videos demonstrate the application of related concepts in classical and original research experiments performed in today's laboratories worldwide.

ohios-learning-standards-and-model-curriculum

Ohio’s Learning Standards and Model Curriculum

Physical Science

Forces And Motion

Dynamics (how forces affect motion)

Forces, Momentum And Motion

newton-s-laws-applied-to-complex-problems

Newton's laws applied to complex problems

Tennessee Academic Standards

High School

Motion and Stability: Forces and Interactions

PHYS.PS2.4

Virginia  Standards of Learning

HIgh School

PS.8

PS.8.b

PH.3

PH.3.a

Arizona Science Standards

HS.P3

HS.P3U1.6

Alabama Course of Study Science

Earth and Space Science

Earth's Place in the Universe

9-12.ESS.1.2.a

9-12.ESS.1.3

9-12.P.1.2

Florida Department of Education

SC.912.P.12

SC.912.P.12.3

SC.912.P.12.8

Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills

PHYS.5

PHYS.5.E

new-york-state-science-learning-standards

New York State Science Learning Standards

HS. Forces and Interactions

HS-PS2-1.

Georgia Standards of Excellence

SPS8.

SP2.

Newton’s Laws of Motion

Position and Displacement

The position of an object defines its location relative to a convenient frame of reference at any particular time. A frame of reference is an arbitrary ...

Average Velocity

To calculate the other physical quantities in kinematics, we must introduce the time variable. The time variable allows us not only to state the position ...

Instantaneous Velocity - I

The average velocity during a time interval cannot tell us how fast or in what direction a particle is moving at any given time during the interval. To ...

Instantaneous Velocity - II

Instantaneous velocity is the quantity that measures how fast an object is moving along its path. In other words, the instantaneous velocity of an object ...

Average Acceleration

The importance of understanding acceleration spans our day-to-day experiences, as well as the vast reaches of outer space and the tiny world of subatomic ...

Instantaneous Acceleration

Acceleration is in the direction of the change in velocity, but it is not always in the direction of motion. When an object slows down, its acceleration ...

Kinematic Equations - I

When an object moves with constant acceleration, the velocity of the object changes at a constant rate throughout the motion. The kinematic equations of ...

Kinematic Equations - II

The second kinematic equation expresses the final position of an object in terms of its initial position, the distance traveled with the initial constant ...

Kinematic Equations - III

The first two kinematic equations have time as a variable, but the third kinematic equation is independent of time. This equation expresses final velocity ...

Kinematic Equations: Problem Solving

When analyzing one-dimensional motion with constant acceleration, the problem-solving strategy involves identifying the known quantities and choosing the ...

Free-falling Bodies: Introduction

All objects, neglecting air resistance, fall with the same acceleration towards the Earth&#39;s center due to the force exerted by the Earth&#39;s ...

Free-falling Bodies: Example

An object falling without any air resistance under the influence of gravitational force is said to be in free-fall. For free-falling bodies, the ...

velocity-and-position-by-graphical-method

Velocity and Position by Graphical Method

Velocity and position can be calculated from the known function of acceleration as a function of time. The total area under the acceleration-time graph ...

Velocity and Position by Integral Method

If acceleration as a function of time is known, then velocity and position functions can be derived using integral calculus. For constant acceleration, ...

Use models (graphs, equations, diagrams) to infer motion in one dimension.

PS.Phy.1.1

Position and Displacement Vectors

To describe the motion of an object, one should first be able to describe its position (where it is at any particular time). More precisely, the position ...

average-and-instantaneous-velocity-vectors

Average and Instantaneous Velocity Vectors

To calculate other physical quantities in kinematics, the time variable must be introduced. The time variable not only allows us to state where an object ...

Acceleration Vectors

In everyday conversation, accelerating means speeding up. Acceleration is a vector in the same direction as the change in velocity, &#916;v, therefore the ...

Direction of Acceleration Vectors

Acceleration occurs when velocity changes in magnitude (an increase or decrease in speed), direction, or both. Although acceleration is in the direction ...

Projectile Motion

An object thrown in the air follows a parabolic path under the influence of Earth&#39;s gravitational force. The motion of such an object is called ...

/files/media/science-education/science-education-thumbs/12634.jpg

Projectile Motion: Equations

Projectile motion is commonly observed in our day-to-day life. For example, a basketball thrown by a player, an arrow shot from a bow, and kids jumping ...

Projectile Motion: Example

The theory of projectile motion is very useful for players of several sports to improve their performance. For example, a javelin thrower needs to throw ...

principle-linear-impulse-momentum-for-single-particle-problem

Principle of Linear Impulse and Momentum for a Single Particle: Problem Solving

Consider a massless pulley system consisting of a wooden box and a cylinder of known masses. Determine the speed of the attached objects at a specific ...

Non-uniform Circular Motion

In&#160;uniform circular motion, the particle executing circular motion has a constant speed, and the circle is at a fixed radius. However, not all ...

Relative Velocity in One Dimension

The understanding of the concept of reference frames is essential to discuss relative motion in one or more dimensions. When we say that an object has a ...

Relative Velocity in Two Dimensions

Relative velocity is the velocity of an object as observed from a particular reference frame, or the velocity of one reference frame with respect to ...

Use models (graphs, equations, diagrams) to infer motion in two dimensions.

PS.Phy.1.2

Force

Forces affect every moment of our life. Our bodies are held to the Earth by force, and they are held together by the forces of charged particles. When we ...

Types of Forces

In most situations, forces can be grouped into two categories: contact forces and field forces.&#160; Contact forces occur as a result of direct physical ...

Drawing Free-body Diagrams: Rules

The first step in describing and analyzing most phenomena in physics involves the careful drawing of a free-body diagram. Free-body diagrams are useful in ...

Free Body Diagrams: Examples

Solving problems that involve forces is easy using free-body diagrams. A free-body diagram is a sketch showing all the external forces that are acting on ...

Use free body models to qualitatively and quantitatively analyze systems of forces in one dimension and two dimensions.

PS.Phy.2.1

Newton's First Law: Application

Experience suggests that an object at rest remains at rest if left alone, and that an object in motion tends to slow down and stop unless some effort is ...

Internal and External Forces

Newton&#39;s first law states that a net external force causes a change in motion. External forces act on an object or system, originating outside of the ...

Newton's Second Law

Newton&#39;s second law is closely related to his first law of motion. It mathematically gives the cause-and-effect relationship between force and changes ...

Mass and Weight

Mass and weight are often used interchangeably in everyday conversation. For example,&#160; medical records often show our weight in kilograms, but never ...

Weightlessness

When an object is dropped, it accelerates toward the center of the Earth. If the net external force on the object is its weight, it is said to be in free ...

Apparent Weight

True weight is the measure of the gravitational force acting on an object. However, if the object accelerates, its measured weight is different from its ...

Newton's Third Law: Introduction

Whenever one body exerts a force on a second body, the first body experiences a force equal in magnitude and opposite in direction, to the force that it ...

Newton's Third Law: Examples

Newton&#39;s third law states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Consider a swimmer pushing off the side of a pool. They push against ...

first-law-particles-in-one-dimensional-equilibrium

First Law: Particles in One-dimensional Equilibrium

Newton&#39;s first law of motion states that a body at rest remains at rest, or if in motion, remains in motion at constant velocity, unless acted on by a ...

Carry out investigations to explain the interactions of forces on an object according to Newton's Laws of Motion.

Analyze the motion of objects using time, distance, displacement, speed, velocity, and acceleration.

Newton's First Law and Inertia

Description

Transcript

Tags

More videos by Standards