Identifying Newton's Laws

Front

What is Newton's First Law of Motion?

Back

An object at rest stays at rest, and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by a net external force.

Front

What is an example of Newton's First Law of Motion?

Back

A passenger in a car continues to move forward when the car suddenly stops.

Front

What does it mean for an object to be in equilibrium?

Back

The net force acting on the object is zero, resulting in no acceleration.

Front

What is Newton's Second Law of Motion?

Back

The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it and inversely proportional to its mass (F=ma).

Front

What is an example of Newton's Second Law of Motion?

Back

Pushing a shopping cart: the harder you push (more force), the faster it accelerates.

Front

What is Newton's Third Law of Motion?

Back

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

Front

What is an example of Newton's Third Law of Motion?

Back

When you jump off a small boat, you push the boat backward as you move forward.

Front

What is inertia?

Back

The tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion.

Front

How does mass affect inertia?

Back

The greater the mass of an object, the greater its inertia, making it harder to change its motion.

Front

What is terminal velocity?

Back

The constant speed an object reaches when the force of gravity is balanced by the drag force of the medium through which it is falling.