The findings corroborate the notion that the deceleration and cessation of the ball are attributed to the frictional force. Absent this frictional force, the ball would have the ability to maintain its rolling motion.
In accordance with Newton's first law, an object in motion will remain in motion at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force. In this scenario, the applied frictional force serves as that external influence. When the ball is rolled across the floor, friction works against its motion, leading to a gradual decrease in speed until the ball ultimately comes to a stop. Without this frictional force, the ball would continue rolling indefinitely in a straight line at the same speed, as there would be no force to alter its state of motion. Therefore, the outcomes of the experiment illustrate Newton's first law aptly, demonstrating the critical role that friction plays in influencing the motion of the ball.