1. What is Newton's First Law of Motion?

Newton's First Law of Motion, also known as the Law of Inertia, states that an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses Newton's First Law principle:

Where:

• \( \sum \vec{F} \) — Net force acting on the object
• \( \vec{v} \) — Velocity of the object

Explanation: When the net force on an object is zero, the object maintains its current state of motion (either at rest or moving with constant velocity).

3. Importance of Newton's First Law

Details: The First Law establishes the concept of inertia and provides the foundation for understanding motion and forces in classical mechanics. It explains why objects behave the way they do when no net force is applied.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter the net force acting on the object. If the net force is zero, the calculator will confirm that the object maintains its state of motion according to the First Law.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What is inertia?
A: Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion. It's directly related to the object's mass.

Q2: Does this law apply in all reference frames?
A: Newton's First Law applies in inertial reference frames, which are frames that are not accelerating.

Q3: What are some real-life examples of the First Law?
A: A book resting on a table, a car continuing to move forward when brakes are applied, astronauts floating in space.

Q4: How does this relate to the other laws of motion?
A: The First Law establishes the baseline behavior when no net force acts, while the Second Law describes what happens when forces do act.

Q5: Is the First Law always true?
A: In classical mechanics at everyday speeds, yes. However, at relativistic speeds or in non-inertial frames, additional considerations apply.