PHYS 2212L Chapter Notes - Chapter Newtons Law: Inertial Frame Of Reference, Circular Motion, Galilean Invariance
Document Summary
Explanation of newton"s first law and reference frames. The first law states that if the net force (the vector sum of all forces acting on an object) is zero, then the velocity of the object is constant. The first law can be stated mathematically when the mass is a non-zero constant, as, An object that is at rest will stay at rest unless a force acts upon it. An object that is in motion will not change its velocity unless a force acts upon it. An object continues to do whatever it happens to be doing unless a force is exerted upon it. If it is at rest, it continues in a state of rest (demonstrated when a tablecloth is skilfully whipped from under dishes on a tabletop and the dishes remain in their initial state of rest). If an object is moving, it continues to move without turning or changing its speed.