NEWTON’S LAWS OF MOTION

By Ricky Lopez

NEWTON’S FIRST LAW OF MOTION

Newton’s first Law of Motion states that an object

at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in

motion with the same speed and in the same

direction unless acted on by an unbalanced force.

Also known as the Law of inertia

NEWTON’S 1 S T LAW EXAMPLE

Before During/After

EXPLANATION

This SpongeBob cartoon is a great example of what

happens when a force is applied to an object at rest.

Squid ward is stopped at a red-light and no longer in

motion. SpongeBob comes traveling at a great force

due to the weight of the boat and acceleration. The

force of the collision between the two boats causes

Squid ward to fly out of the boat in motion and will

continue to do so until another force stops him.

NEWTON’S 1 S T LAW EXAMPLE

Before During/After

Pictures provided by Ricky

EXPLANATION

In the example, a ball is left at rest. It isn’t until a

force is applied that the basketball begins to move. If

no other force is applied, the ball will continue to

move because there is no friction.

NEWTON’S 2 N D LAW OF MOTION

Newton’s 2nd law states that the acceleration of an

object is dependent upon two variables – the net

force acting upon the object and the mass of the

object

NEWTON’S 2 N D LAW EXAMPLE

Before During/After

EXPLANATION

In order for a person to cut their lawn, they must

apply force. The engine of the lawn mower already

provides a force. It is called thrust force due to the

mass and acceleration of the blade. However, that

force alone won’t cut the lawn. You still need to

apply the necessary force to the lawn mower in

order to move it. Your end result is a mowed lawn

considering your not to lazy and stop.

NEWTON’S 2 N D LAW EXAMPLE

Before During/After

EXPLANATION

In order for tennis players to win their games, they

need to hit the tennis ball with enough force. If the

force they hit the ball doesn’t go over the net, then

they are penalized. The greater the force means the

greater the acceleration. The tennis players need to

make sure that they can hit the ball at good force to

continue the game.

NEWTON’S 3 R D LAW OF MOTION

Newton’s 3rd Law of Motion states that for every

action, there is an equal and opposite reaction

NEWTON’S 3 R D LAW EXAMPLE

Before During/After

EXPLANATION

A person jumping through the air is an example of

Newton’s 3rd law. In order for a person to jump

through the air, the person needs to exert a force on

the ground or surface. There has to be an opposite

reaction, which means the ground is also going to

exert a force on the person. Without an opposite

reaction, people wouldn’t be able to walk, run, or

jump. The equal and opposite forces is what makes

this possible.

NEWTON’S 3 R D LAW EXAMPLE

Before During/After

EXPLANATION

Swimming is another example of Newton’s 3rd Law.

In order for swimming to happen, the swimmer must

exert a force in the direction he or she wants to go.

They must cycle their arms up and down for them to

go in that direction. As they are exerting that force

and swimming through the water, the water is also

exerting a force in the opposite direction, away from

the swimmers. That is the opposite reaction and

allows the swimmers to proceed in their direction.