Newton’s First Law:
Law of Inertia
What is inertia?
• Inertia is the property of matter in which an object that is at rest
wants to remain at rest, and an object that is moving wants to
remain moving in a straight line unless another force acts upon
it.
2 Inertial Reference
Frames
1. Inertial Frame of Reference
2. Non-inertial frame of reference
Inertial Frame of Reference
• Is a reference frame, i. e. point of view, where the property of
inertia or Newton’s law holds true.
• Here, we assume a reference frame to be the inertial frame of
reference.
• With respect to the assumed inertial reference frame, an object
or body will stay at rest or remain in uniform motion if no
external force is acting upon it.
• This is where acceleration is 0
Non-inertial frame of reference
• Is the reference frame where the property of inertia (Newton’s
law) does not seem to hold true.
• A frame that is accelerated with respect to the assumed inertial
frame of reference.
Problem Questions
1. Sally and John are on a train that is moving east at 50 mph
relative to the ground. John is walking east at 3 mph and Sally is
walking west at 4 mph.
• (a) What is John's velocity with respect to the ground?
• (b) What is Sally's velocity with respect to the ground?
• (c) What is John's velocity with respect to Sally?
• (d) What is Sally's velocity with respect to John?
THANK YOU
