Question

How does friction affect Newton’s first law?

Answer 1

Friction can affect Newton's first law, also known as the law of inertia, by opposing the motion of an object. In the absence of friction, an object in motion will continue in a straight line at a constant velocity, according to Newton's first law. However, when friction is present, it can act in the opposite direction of the object's motion, causing it to slow down or come to a stop. This means that the object's velocity will change, and it may not continue moving in a straight line as predicted by Newton's first law. Friction can therefore complicate the application of Newton's first law in real-world situations.