Newton's First Law: Objects at Rest

What You'll Learn

Newton's first law states that an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted on by an unbalanced force. This is called inertia.

Key Words

gravity
friction

Materials Needed

cardboard
marbles
paper clips
rubber bands
blocks

Safety First

Keep small objects away from young children.
Work in a well-ventilated area when using vinegar or other strong-smelling substances.
Dispose of materials properly after the experiment.

Steps

Step 1 — Read

Read and learn: Newton's first law states that an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted on by an unbalanced force. This is called inertia.

Step 2 — Do

Gather your materials and set up your workspace.

Step 3 — Observe

Observe what happens and describe it in detail.

Step 4 — Record

Record your observations in your science journal.

Check Your Understanding

Question 1

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What does Newton's third law state?