The property of an object that resists change in its motion is a. mass b. inertia c. velocity d. momentum
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: b. inertia
Explanation (300 words):
In physics, inertia is the property of an object that resists changes to its state of motion. This means that an object at rest will stay at rest, and an object in motion will continue moving in a straight line at a constant speed unless acted upon by an external force. This concept is described by Newton’s First Law of Motion, often referred to as the Law of Inertia.
Inertia is not a force, but rather a tendency. It is closely related to mass—the greater the mass of an object, the greater its inertia. For example, it is much harder to push a heavy boulder than a small rock. This is because the boulder has more mass and therefore more inertia, making it more resistant to changes in its motion.
Although mass is a measure of inertia, it is not the same thing. Mass is a quantitative property—it tells us how much matter is in an object. Inertia, on the other hand, is the behavior that results from that mass when force is applied.
Let’s look at the other options to clarify:
- a. Mass: While related to inertia, mass is the measure of how much inertia an object has—not the property itself.
- c. Velocity: This is the speed and direction of an object’s motion, not a property that resists change.
- d. Momentum: Momentum is the product of mass and velocity (p = mv). It’s a quantity related to motion, but not the inherent resistance to motion change.
In conclusion, inertia is the correct term for the property of matter that resists changes in motion. It’s a fundamental principle in classical mechanics and forms the basis for understanding motion and forces in the physical world.