What is Inertia? Definition, Meaning & Example
The tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion.
TL;DR: The tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion.
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Inertia: The tendency of an object to resist changes in its state of motion.
Explanation
Inertia is an intrinsic property of matter related to mass. Objects at rest tend to stay at rest and moving objects tend to continue moving unless acted upon by a force. This is Newton's first law of motion. Greater mass means greater inertia. Examples include passengers lurching forward when a car brakes and difficulty pushing a heavy object.
Example
When a bus suddenly brakes, passengers lurch forward due to their inertia trying to maintain their forward motion.
Frequently Asked Questions
What causes inertia?
Inertia is an inherent property of matter related to mass. Objects resist changes in motion because of their mass.
Does inertia depend on mass?
Yes, greater mass means greater inertia and greater resistance to changes in motion.
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