Question

Give two examples of inertia of motion.

Answer 1

Law of inertia:

An object will continue to be in the state of rest or a state of motion unless an external force acts on it.

Inertia of motion:

When the resistance is offered by the body to continue to be in the uniform motion unless an external force acts on it.

Examples:

1. After landing, an aircraft does not come to a complete stop. Because of the inertia of travel at such a high speed, all passengers would be flung forward if it came to a complete stop. The plane must go a certain distance before coming to a complete stop.
2. Satellites follow a predetermined path around the Earth. The spacecraft moves in orbit due to inertia, and there is no external force that can stop it. As a result, the satellites are free to orbit the Earth.