Inertia

Definition

Inertia is the property of an object that resists changes to its state of motion. It depends solely on the mass of the object.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Inertia is directly proportional to mass; more massive objects have greater inertia.
2. An object at rest will stay at rest unless acted upon by an external force, illustrating inertia.
3. An object in motion continues in its current state of motion unless a net external force acts on it.
4. Inertia is a concept derived from Newton's First Law of Motion, also known as the Law of Inertia.
5. Understanding inertia is crucial for analyzing real-world scenarios involving motion and forces.

Review Questions

• What is the relationship between mass and inertia?
• How does Newton's First Law describe inertia in objects at rest and in motion?
• Why does a moving car come to a stop when brakes are applied in terms of inertia?

Related terms

Newton's First Law:

A principle stating that an object will remain at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by a net external force.

Mass:

A measure of the amount of matter in an object, which determines its resistance to changes in motion (inertia).

Force:

An interaction that causes a change in an object's motion, breaking its inertial state.