(i) Force: Force is a physical quantity that describes the interaction between two objects or bodies. It is a vector quantity, meaning it has both magnitude and direction. Force can cause objects to change their motion, either by accelerating, decelerating, or changing direction.
(ii) Friction: Friction is a force that opposes the motion or potential motion of an object. It arises whenever two objects are in contact with each other and is caused by the microscopic interactions between the surfaces of the objects. Friction can play a crucial role in preventing objects from slipping or sliding and in causing wear and tear.
(iii) Inertia: Inertia is the tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion. It is a property possessed by all matter. An object with a large mass has a higher inertia and requires more force to accelerate or decelerate. This is because inertia is directly proportional to mass – the greater the mass, the greater the inertia. Inertia is characterized by Newton's first law of motion: an object at rest will remain at rest, and an object in motion will keep moving at a constant speed in a straight line, unless acted upon by an external force.
Define the following terms
(i) force
(ii) friction
(iii) inertia
1 answer
1 answer