The useful idea
- The useful idea
Inertia is the natural tendency of objects in motion to stay in motion and objects at rest to stay at rest, unless a force causes its velocity to change.
- How it works
It is one of the fundamental principles in classical physics, and is described by Isaac Newton in his first law of motion (also known as The Principle of Inertia).
- Why it matters
It is one of the primary manifestations of mass, one of the core quantitative properties of physical systems.
Why this matters
Look for Inertia the next time you notice this pattern in everyday life.
Try this
Look for Inertia the next time you notice this pattern in everyday life.
Test your recall
Which idea belongs to the explanation of Inertia?
- The useful idea — correct
- How it works
- Why it matters
Inertia is the natural tendency of objects in motion to stay in motion and objects at rest to stay at rest, unless a force causes its velocity to change.