Chapter 4: Forces and the Laws of Motion
Misconception: an object with no force will be at rest. Inertia – the tendency of an object to maintain its state of motion, or tendency not to accelerate.
Acceleration is determined by net external force. Net external force – to total force from a combination of external forces on an object; sometimes called the resultant force. Vector sum of all forces acting on an object.
Mass is a measurement of inertia. Inertia is proportional to mass.
Objects in motion tend to stay in motion.
Equilibrium – the state in which there is no change in a body’s motion. Occurs when there is no net force on the object. ▪ When the vector sum of all forces acting on an object is equal to zero.