How Does Inertia Affect Motion?

Do not be intimidated by the question how does inertia affect motion! The idea of inertia is a simple scientific theory that governs a basic principle of all bodies that are either at rest or are moving, which pretty much means anything, in laymen's terms.  Determing exactly what inertia is, followed by a few practical examples of inertia and movement in every day life, will properly highlight the standard, yet important, relationship between inertia and motion.

Like many theories, inertia existed before it was "discovered" and named, since objects have always been moved. Furthermore, one must remember that "discover" and "create" do not have the same definition. However, in the 17th century, Isaac Newton explored the idea of inertia, and wrote quite a bit about its concept, form, and function.

In short, the principle of inertia postulates that an object will remain still or move in a constant direction at a constant speed, unless the object is acted upon by some external factor. Still fearful of the concept because of some of the scientific jargon? Don't be! Inertia is actually quite a simple theory to understand after learning the basics, and the effects of intertia on motion are constantly seen.

How Does Inertia Affect Motion

If an object is at rest, and another force causes it to move, that is an example of inertia and motion. If an object is falling from the sky, and then hits the ground and stops, that is yet another example of inertia and motion. The ground is the force that caused the object to stray from its speed and direction. A list of solid examples will both prove the importance of this subject in life, but also simplify the matter even further.

• A baseball is thrown, and a gust of wind appears and knocks it off of its course and to the ground.
• A book is rested on a table, and a child comes over and knocks it to the floor.
• A bug is flying through the air, when a bird appears and captures the insect in its mouth for dinner.
• A glass is set upon a table at a restaurant, and a waiter or diner accidentally knocks it over.
• A child is running across the lawn, when another child pushes him or her over.

Considerations

The basic concept of how does inertia affect motion may not really seem that complicated after all. Even more, some individuals may think that studying the concept is pointless, since everyone knows that if someone hits a baseball out of its path, the ball will be, well, out of its path! However, consider the implications.

See the connection between inertia and gravity? Eventually, what is thrown up into the air, comes back down, whether it is because a balloon was popped by a curious bird, or a ball hit a tree branch.

Of course, there are other considerations involved with gravity, as everything certainly does not come back down to earth by accident. Causing an object to be out of its pathway and speed does not need to be an accidental force, as is seen by the example of the child pushing anther.

Physics and other forms of science consider the field of inertia extremely important because studying inertia is of considerable help in the learning of how the universe is shaped, as well as in the disciplines of force, motion, speed, and directional control. Imagine the construction of airplanes without the knowledge of inertia!