Top 7 Inertia of Motion Examples In Physics & Daily Life
Here are the top 7 inertia of motion examples In Physics and real Life.
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A man getting down from a moving bus
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The athlete runs before taking a long jump
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A ball is thrown upwards in a running train
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A passenger sitting in a moving car falls forward when the car suddenly stops.
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Orbiting Satellites.
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When you stop pedaling a bicycle
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Rolling of the bowling ball
Ever wonder why things keep moving until something stops them? It’s the work of ‘Inertia of Motion’. We are about to dive into daily life examples that show how things stay in motion unless something makes them stop. From a rolling ball to a man getting down from a moving bus, let’s explore the top 7 inertia of motion examples in our daily lives.
But before you read any further, it might be a good idea to briefly understand what inertia is and its types. It will help you to understand the examples better. If you are already familiar with the concept, you can skip it by clicking on the link below.
What is the law of inertia in physics?
In physics, inertia is a fundamental property of matter that describes an object’s resistance to a change in its state of motion. It is one of the key principles underlying Sir Isaac Newton’s laws of motion. Inertia is often summarized by the statement:
“An object at rest tends to stay at rest, and an object in motion tends to stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an external force.”
In simpler terms, if an object is stationary, it will remain stationary unless a force is applied to it. Similarly, if an object is moving, it will continue to move at a constant velocity in a straight line unless a force is applied to change its speed or direction.
Types of inertia with examples
Inertia can be categorized into three main types:
- Inertia of Rest: This refers to the tendency of an object to remain at rest when no external force is acting on it. In other words, an object at rest will stay at rest unless a force is applied to set it in motion.
Example: A book sitting on a table will not move on its own because it exhibits inertia of rest. It requires an external force, such as someone pushing it, to overcome this inertia and make it move. - Inertia of Motion: This describes the tendency of an object in motion to remain in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an external force. It is sometimes referred to as “inertia of motion” or simply “inertia.”
Example: If you roll a ball on a smooth, frictionless surface, it will continue rolling indefinitely in a straight line unless an external force, such as friction or your hand, acts upon it to slow it down or change its direction. - Inertia of Direction: Inertia of direction is a concept related to an object’s tendency to resist changes in its direction of motion. This means that an object will continue moving in its current direction unless an external force is applied to change that direction.
Example: When you’re driving a car and suddenly make a sharp turn, you feel yourself being pushed to the side. This is because your body tends to continue moving in the direction it was initially going (inertia of motion), and the car’s rapid change in direction exerts a force on you (inertia of direction).
Now in this article, we will focus extensively on the examples of inertia of motion. So let’s dive into our top 7 inertia of motion examples in physics & daily life.
7 inertia of Motion examples in physics & daily life Explained
I am sure that the concept of inertia of motion is clear to you now. If not, you can comment below. Let us now move on to 7 examples of inertia of motion in physics & in real life.
- A Man Getting Down from a Moving Bus:
When a man attempts to get down from a moving bus, he experiences inertia of motion. This means that his body continues to move forward at the same speed as the bus due to its initial motion. As he steps off the bus, he suddenly finds himself in a state of relative rest, while the bus continues moving.
As a result, he might stumble or fall forward unless he actively applies a force, such as stepping with the same speed as the bus to match its motion, to counteract his forward momentum. - Athlete Runs Before Taking a Long Jump:
An athlete running before a long-jump is a classic example of inertia of motion. As the athlete sprints down the track, their body is in motion. When they take off for the jump, they rely on their forward motion to carry them through the air.
In the absence of this forward motion, they wouldn’t be able to cover the distance of the jump effectively. This showcases how an object in motion tends to remain in motion unless acted upon by an external force, allowing the athlete to execute the jump successfully. - A Ball Thrown Upwards in a Running Train:
When a ball is thrown upward inside a running train, it retains the forward motion of the train due to the inertia of motion. While it is in the air, it continues moving horizontally at the same speed as the train. This is why, when observed from inside the train, it appears to fall straight back down.
From an external perspective, an observer would see the ball’s vertical motion due to gravity, but it would still maintain the train’s horizontal speed. - A Passenger Sitting in a Moving Car Falls Forward When the Car Suddenly Stops:
This scenario demonstrates the inertia of motion in action. When a passenger is sitting in a moving car, both the passenger and the car are in motion. When the car suddenly stops, the passenger’s body still possesses the forward motion it had when the car was moving.
As a result, the passenger continues moving forward inside the car until an external force, like the car’s brakes or seatbelt, acts to stop them. This is why the passenger falls forward, following the principle that an object in motion tends to stay in motion unless acted upon by an external force. - Orbiting Satellites:
Orbiting satellites provide an excellent illustration of the inertia of motion. Once launched into orbit, satellites move at a constant velocity, tangentially to the Earth’s surface. This motion is a result of their initial launch velocity.
According to the principle of inertia of motion, they continue moving along their orbital paths without any additional propulsion because there is virtually no air resistance or friction in space to slow them down significantly.
These satellites stay in motion, following their trajectories around the Earth due to their inertia of motion, unless influenced by gravitational forces or adjustments in their propulsion systems. - When You Stop Pedaling a Bicycle:
When you stop pedaling a bicycle while it’s in motion, the bicycle continues to move forward due to the inertia of motion. Your previous pedaling efforts provided the bicycle with forward momentum.
The absence of pedaling doesn’t immediately stop the bicycle; instead, it allows it to coast. This is because the bicycle’s wheels have rotational inertia, and the bicycle as a whole has translational inertia.
It continues moving forward until external forces like friction, air resistance, or braking mechanisms gradually slow it down. - Rolling of the Bowling Ball:
When a bowling ball is rolled down the lane, it demonstrates inertia of motion. Once set in motion, the bowling ball continues moving forward at a constant speed, following a straight line unless acted upon by external forces.
The initial force applied to the ball by the bowler imparts forward momentum to it, and the ball retains this motion due to its inertia. It only comes to a stop when the forces of friction between the ball and the lane, as well as gravitational effects, slow it down and bring it to a halt.
References – Inertia of motion examples
- The Physics Classroom: Inertia
If you are interested in learning about inertia, it could be a valuable educational resource to explore. It is provided by the physics classroom.
Recommended Read:
| Inertia Of Rest Examples In Physics & Daily Life (9 Examples) |
| Inertia Of Direction Examples In Physics & Daily Life (4 Examples) |
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