Newton's 1st Law of Motion

© Kesler Science, LLC

Newton’s Laws of Motion

Sir Isaac Newton
•An English physicist and
mathematician in the 1600’s
•One of the most influential
scientists of all time
•Formulated the three basic
laws of motion (Newton's Laws
of Motion)

Sir Isaac Newton

© Kesler Science, LLC

Newton’s Laws of Motion

Newton’s First Law or Law
of Inertia
An object at rest tends to stay at
rest unless acted on by an
unbalanced force

Ex. - Sitting on a couch

Inertia – a
tendency to do
nothing or remain
unchanged

© Kesler Science, LLC

Newton’s Laws of Motion

Newton’s First Law (Cont.)
An object in motion tends to stay in
motion with the same speed and
direction until acted on by an
unbalanced force

Ex. - A satellite orbiting Earth

List one more example of
Newton’s First Law.

Think About It

© Kesler Science, LLC

Cars, trucks, and SUVs use seatbelts
as safety devices. Roller coasters use
bars. Use Newton’s 1st Law of Motion
to explain how the seatbelt or
restraint bar help keep you safe in a
collision. Be sure to identify forces
and velocity.

Fill in the Blanks

Newton's First Law of Motion is also called the Law of

Multiple Choice

During which century was Sir Isaac Newton alive?

• 1500s

• 1600s

• 1700s

• 1800s

Fill in the Blanks

How many laws of motion did Newton have?

Multiple Choice

What kind of force is necessary to get an object to move?

• balanced

• unbalanced

Multiple Select

Which example(s) follow Newton's First Law of Motion?

• sitting on a couch

• satellite orbiting the Earth

• brakes slowing a car down

• throwing a baseball

Open Ended

Explain how seatbelts in a vehicle or lap bars on a rollercoaster helps to keep you safe. Make sure to mention how Newton's First Law applies