Question

The inertia of an object tends to cause the object:

• A. to increase its speed
• B. to decrease its speed
• C. to resist any change in its state of motion
• D. to decelerate due to friction

Answer 1

The correct option is C

to resist any change in its state of motion

Explanation for correct option:
Option C:

1. Inertia: It can be defined as the tendency of an object to continue its state of rest or of uniform motion until or unless an external force is applied to it.
2. The object resists any change in its state of rest or motion due to inertia.
3. When we apply sudden brakes on a moving bus, the passengers move forward because of inertia of motion.

Explanation for incorrect options:
Option A:

1. Inertia does not change the speed of an object.
2. In fact, it tends to keep the object at the same speed.
3. So it does not increases the speed of the object.

Option B:

1. Inertia does not change the speed of an object.
2. In fact, it tends to keep the object at the same speed.
3. So it does not decreases the speed of the object.

Option D:

1. Friction is an external force.
2. In the presence of friction, an object decelerates.
3. But it is not due to inertia, as inertia tends to keep the object in its same state of rest or motion.

Hence, option C is the correct answer.