Newton's First Law

Introduction

Newton's First Law, also known as the Law of Inertia, states that an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will continue its motion at a constant velocity unless acted upon by a net external force. This fundamental principle of physics underlines the behavior of objects in the universe.

Understanding Inertia

Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion. This means that an object will not change its velocity or direction unless a force is applied. For example:

• An unattended object on a table will not move unless it is pushed.
• An object sliding on a frictionless surface will keep moving indefinitely unless a force like friction stops it.

Conclusion

Understanding Newton's First Law provides insight into the nature of motion and the effects of forces on objects. It is a cornerstone of classical mechanics and forms the foundation for further studies in physics.