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2.4 Newton’s First Law

Part of Force and Translational Dynamics in AP® Physics C: Mechanics. Read the opening section, then create a free account for the full interactive lesson, practice, and progress tracking.

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Newton’s First Law (Law of Inertia)

An object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will remain in motion with constant velocity, unless acted upon by a net external force.

This law introduces inertia, the tendency of an object to resist changes in its motion. If no external force acts on an object, its velocity remains constant.

In this unit

10 lessons

  1. 2.1Systems and Center of MassPreview lesson
  2. 2.2Forces and Free-Body DiagramsPreview lesson
  3. 2.3Newton’s Third LawPreview lesson
  4. 2.4Newton’s First LawThis lesson
  5. 2.5Newton’s Second LawPreview lesson
  6. 2.6Gravitational ForcePreview lesson
  7. 2.7Kinetic and Static FrictionPreview lesson
  8. 2.8Tension/Pulley Systems & Spring ForcesPreview lesson
  9. 2.9Resistive ForcesPreview lesson
  10. 2.10Circular MotionPreview lesson

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