Question

State the Newton's first law of motion in words and in mathematical form.

Answer 1

Newton's First Law

* Newton's First Law of Motion states that a body will remain at rest or will continue to move at a constant velocity, unless an external force is applied.

* This means that in order for the acceleration of a body to change, there must be a net force applied to the body. Put another way, if the forces on an object balance, there will be no acceleration (the object will continue at the same speed).So, if we are told that a body is not accelerating (i.e. if it is moving at a constant velocity), we know that the resultant (overall) force in any one direction will be zero.

* Its an unbalanced force,

8N acting towards the left, and 20N acting towards the right.

F = F2 - F1

= 20N - 8N

= 12N

F = ma

a = F/m

a = 12N/5kg

a = 2.4 m/s^2

Therefore, the accelaration of the object is 2.4 m/s^2