Sunday, February 19, 2012

Newton's Laws of Motion

Isaac Newton was a 17th century physicist who is known for coming up with three laws of gravity and motion that explain motions observed in space and on earth. He is also known for having contributed to science; study of light and in mathematics; calculus. Many students find it hard to grasp the three laws of motion presented by Newton. However, the laws are simple to understand. They are as follows.

The first Newton' law of motion states that if an object has a constant velocity it is moving at a uniform speed. When the object is at rest, its velocity is zero. For the velocity of the object to change, an outside force must come into the picture and change it. In other words, it is impossible for objects to move without force being applied to them. The first law of motion is also referred to as the inertia law. For instance, a soccer ball on the field will not move unless someone kicks it. If the soccer ball is at rest, it will continue to be at the same state until an outside force intervenes. Moreover, if it is moving, it will do so in a straight line until an outside force interferes with it.

Newton's second law of motion provides us with a way of determining the degree of force needed to move an object. It gives the formula necessary to calculate how much force is required to move an object. It also goes on to state that the speed at which an object moves depends on the force applied to it. The less force used the slower will the object move. For instance,if a player kicks the soccer ball in the first law with little force, the ball will not move a greater distance than when it is kicked with greater force. The force of a constant mass or object is calculated by multiplying its acceleration with its mass.

Newton's third law simply states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. In other words, for every action, there is a reaction. The term reaction and action is intended to mean forces. Newton' third law involves two objects. For instance, if you kick a soccer ball with a certain degree of force onto a wall, according to the law, the ball will react by coming back to you. Another example is taken from gravity. If the Earth's gravity is pulling you down, then you are also reacting by pulling the Earth up. Consider another example such as when an insect hits a moving car. Although they both hit each other with equal force, the impact caused by the insect is minimal.

These laws of motion have enabled scientist come up with explanations involving all types of motion. These motions involve the ones normally seen here on Earth as well as those that happen in space; motions of stars, planets and other heavenly bodies. The motion on Earth could be moving objects such as cars, animals and so on.

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