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Understanding Newton's First Law of Motion

Apr 9, 2025

Newton's First Law of Motion

Introduction

  • Objective: Understand and describe Newton's First Law of Motion.
  • Application: Apply the law to both moving and stationary objects.

Newton's Laws of Motion

  • Concept: Describes effects of forces on object motion.
  • Three Laws: This lecture focuses on the first law.

Newton's First Law of Motion

  • Stationary Objects:
    • If the resultant force is zero, the object remains stationary.
  • Moving Objects:
    • If the resultant force is zero, the object continues to move in the same direction at the same speed (constant velocity).

Examples

Stationary Object

  • No Forces:
    • Object remains stationary due to zero resultant force.
  • Balanced Forces:
    • Example: 50 Newton force to the right and 50 Newton force to the left.
    • Forces are balanced, resultant force is zero, object remains stationary.

Moving Object

  • No Forces:
    • Object continues moving with the same velocity (speed and direction unchanged).
  • Balanced Forces:
    • Example: 50 Newton force to the right and 50 Newton force to the left.
    • Resultant force is zero, object continues moving at the same velocity.

Key Point

  • Velocity Change:
    • An object's velocity changes only if a resultant force is acting on it.

Application: Car Example

  • Constant Speed:
    • Example: Car moving at 15 m/s.
    • Driving force (engine) acts to the left.
    • Equal resistive forces (friction with air and road) act to the right.

Resultant Force Effects

Stationary Object

  • Applied Force:
    • 50 Newton force to the right causes acceleration to the right.
  • Key Concept: Resultant force changes object speed.

Moving Object

  • Resultant Force:
    • 50 Newton force to the left causes deceleration (slows down).
  • Key Concept: Resultant force changes object speed and can change direction.

Direction Change

  • Upward Force:
    • Resultant force on the bottom causes upward acceleration.

Conclusion

  • Study Resource: Questions on Newton's First Law available in the revision workbook linked in the lecture.

[Music] denotes transitions or non-verbal moments in the lecture presentation.