The property of an object that resists change in its motion is * 1 point a. mass b. inertia c. velocity d. momentum
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: b. inertia
Explanation (300 words):
Inertia is the property of an object that resists any change in its state of motion. This concept is a fundamental principle of physics and is directly linked to Newton’s First Law of Motion, also known as the Law of Inertia. According to this law, an object at rest will stay at rest, and an object in motion will stay in motion at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.
Inertia depends solely on mass—the more mass an object has, the greater its inertia. For example, a large boulder has more inertia than a small rock, meaning it takes more effort (force) to change its motion. However, mass is not the property that causes resistance to motion change—it is what inertia depends on. Therefore, while mass and inertia are closely related, the correct term for the resistance itself is inertia, not mass.
Let’s compare this to the other options:
- Mass is the amount of matter in an object, which contributes to its inertia.
- Velocity is the speed of an object in a specific direction, not a resistance property.
- Momentum is the product of mass and velocity and describes the motion of an object, not its resistance to motion change.
In practical terms, you experience inertia when you feel a jolt in a car that suddenly stops—your body wants to keep moving forward because it was in motion. The seatbelt provides the unbalanced force needed to stop you.
Understanding inertia helps us design safer vehicles, effective sports strategies, and accurate engineering systems. It explains why heavier vehicles need more braking distance and why stationary objects don’t move unless a force acts upon them.
In conclusion, inertia is the correct answer because it is the property that resists changes in motion.