Inertia – Definition, Laws of inertia, Types, Examples, FAQs

What Is the Law of Inertia?

Law of inertia,  also known as Newton’s first law of motion, states that

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

Types of Inertia

Following are the three types of inertia:

Inertia of Rest	Inertia of Direction	Inertia of Motion
When the resistance is offered by the body to continue in the state of rest unless an external force acts on it.	When the resistance is offered by the body to continue the motion in the same direction unless an external force acts on it.	When the resistance is offered by the body to continue to be in the uniform motion unless an external force acts on it.

Law of Inertia Examples

• Sudden start of the lift.
• The tendency of moving back when the stationary bus starts to move.
• Jerk experienced when the lift operates suddenly.
• Moving forward when a sudden break is applied.

Frequently Asked Questions – FAQs

Q1

State the law of inertia

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

Q2

What is the law of inertia also known as?

Law of inertia is also known as Newton’s first law of motion.

Q3

What are the types of inertia?

Following are the types of inertia:

• Inertia of Rest
• Inertia of Direction
• Inertia of Motion

Q4

The resistance is offered by the body to continue to be in the uniform motion unless an external force acts on it is known as?

Q5

Give two examples to prove the law of inertia.

• The tendency of moving back when the stationary bus starts to move.
• Moving forward when a sudden brake is applied.