How Newton's Laws of Motion Explains the Motion of an Object

Newton's cradle shows how objects in motion affect other objects

Newton's Laws of Motion affect our understanding of how an object moves or stays stationary according to outside forces. This understanding has helped shape our world through the development of everything from steam power to airplanes.

Newton's Laws

Newton's Laws make statements about motion. The first law says that an object moves or remains stationary depending upon outside forces. The object will remain motionless unless those forces are acted upon it, also known as inertia. The second law describes the momentum which is needed to move the object, and the last states "For every action, there is an equal and opposite re-action."

The Motion of an Object

According to Newton's Laws, an object is motionless until it is acted upon, and an object in motion moves consistently unless it is acted upon by another force. A metal ball will move when pushed with a finger, and will move consistently down the line so long as that force remains with it. It can be affected by other forces, such as gravity or a magnet, which will affect the influence of the first force.

Potential

Newton's Laws can be applied to any object that is moving, from iron filings to rocket engines and even the planets themselves.

References

• NASA: Newton's Laws of Motion