Physics

TYPES OF INERTIA AND ITS

A P P L I C AT I O N S
Newton's first law, or the law of
inertia, means when an object stays
at rest, it will be at rest. But when
the object or body moves, it will
move at the same speed in the same
direction in a straight line until it is
interrupted by any external force.
This is called the law of inertia.
 Inertia of Rest.

Inertia of Direction.

Inertia of Motion.
Types of inertia
Inertia of rest

If an object stays at rest, its The more inertia that an

the tendency of a body to
mass and inertia will also object has, the more mass
remain in its state of rest or
remain the same, and if the that it has. A more massive
its inability to change its
object is moving at a great object has a greater
state of rest by itself. (static
speed, its inertia and mass tendency to resist changes
inertia)
will eventually increase. in its state of motion.
Application of inertia of
rest
• When the branch of a tree is vigorously shaken,
the branch comes in motion as the force is
applied on the branch. But the leaves want to
remain at rest due to inertia of rest and fall down.
• Shaking a bottle of ketchup. When bringing the
bottom down, the suddenly stopping it, inertia is what
causes the ketchup to come out of the bottle.
• when you beat a carpet the dust particles come out.
 Inertia of direction

 A body moving in a certain direction

cannot change its direction without any
force being applied on it. It is the
property due to which a body
maintains its sense of direction
Applications for •  When a bus driver negotiating a curve on the
road, passengers fall towards the center of the
inertia of direction curved road. Whenever a driver is negotiating a
curve, the passengers experience a force acting
away from the center of the curve, it happens due
to the tendency of the passengers to continue
moving in a straight line.
• when you are driving a bike, the body will
not be able to make a change in direction
until the body does not want to change the
direction. The bike will make a turn in its
direction only when allowed by the body.
 Inertia of motion

• Inertia of motion is defined as the inability

of a body to change it state of motion by
itself.
• It is related to mass.

• A moving body keeps moving not because of

its inertia but only because of the absence of a
force to slow it down, change its course, or
speed it up
Applications for • When bus stops suddenly, the luggage
kept on the roof may fall from the roof of

inertia of motion the bus due to inertia of motion therefore,

it is advised to tie any luggage kept on the
roof of a bus with a rope.
• When the driver of a bus applies brake
suddenly, the lower part of the body
comes to rest as the bus comes to rest but,
the upper part of the body continues to
move forward due to inertia of motion. As
a result, a forward force is exerted on the
body and we fall in the forward direction.