Which law of motion explains how an object stays at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force?

Disable ads (and more) with a premium pass for a one time $4.99 payment

Prepare for the RECF Fundamentals Exam. Use flashcards and multiple choice questions to test your robotics knowledge. Gain insights and readiness for your certification!

The first law of motion, often referred to as the law of inertia, explains that an object will remain at rest or continue in uniform motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force. This principle reflects the inherent resistance of any object to changes in its state of motion. Inertia is a fundamental concept in physics that describes how objects behave when no net force is applied to them.

In practical terms, this means that if you have a soccer ball lying on the ground, it will not start moving on its own. Similarly, if the ball is rolling across a field, it will continue to roll at a constant speed and in a straight line until forces like friction or a player kicking it intervene to change its state. This law is foundational in understanding the behavior of objects in motion and is crucial for building effective robotic systems that navigate their environments.

The second law of motion deals with the relationship between force, mass, and acceleration, while the third law of motion states that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction. Newton's law of gravitation, on the other hand, describes the attraction between masses. These concepts are interconnected but specifically, the first law of motion directly addresses the question of how and why an object

Subscribe

Get the latest from Examzify

You can unsubscribe at any time. Read our privacy policy