An object does not change its motion unless an external force is applied on it.
Remember when you were a kid and played with toy trucks? It didn’t move until you pushed it — Newton says this applies to everything, not just toys!
Newton’s laws define the basics of mechanics (specifically Newtonian mechanics). In the future, you’ll learn that there are other types too. But today, we’ll stick to the big 3: Newton's laws of motion.
An object does not change its motion unless an external force is applied on it.
Remember when you were a kid and played with toy trucks? It didn’t move until you pushed it — Newton says this applies to everything, not just toys!
The acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force and inversely proportional to its mass.
Translation: the harder you push, the faster it moves — unless it’s super heavy.
Formula: \(F = ma\)
Force equals mass times acceleration — this is the core of the second law.
For every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction.
If you push a wall with 100N of force, the wall pushes back with 100N. Ever shoved a sibling and got shoved back? That’s this law in action — physics style.
Newton’s laws are everywhere — from rolling balls to rockets launching. Mastering them is step one in your physics journey!
Written by Thenura Dilruk