GCSE Combined Science (AQA)

622 videos | 38 hours

Newton's First Law

Please subscribe to watch this video.

This, and all other videos, are included in our premium subscriptions.

Premium accounts get access to all videos.

Forces Forces and motion

Newton's First Law

5:11 Newton's Three Laws
Spec 4.5.6.2.1
Previous Average Speed Next Calculating Acceleration
  • Newton's first law states that when the resultant force on an object is zero, a stationary object remains stationary, and a moving object continues with the same velocity.
  • Example: A plant pot on a table has equal and opposite forces (weight and reaction force) resulting in zero resultant force, keeping it stationary.
  • Resultant force is the single vector with the same effect as all combined forces.
  • If forces on an object are equal and opposite, they cancel out, resulting in zero resultant force.
  • Newton's first law applies to both stationary and moving objects.
  • A moving object will continue with the same velocity if no resultant force acts on it.
  • Example: A mobility scooter with equal driving and friction forces results in zero resultant force, maintaining constant velocity.
  • Newton's first law applies to objects with balanced forces or no forces acting on them.
  • Balanced forces mean forces are equal in all directions.
  • Example: A plane with balanced lift, weight, driving force, and drag maintains constant velocity.
  • In space, without gravity or air resistance, a space shuttle with no forces acting on it will remain stationary or move with constant velocity.
  • Understanding Newton's first law involves recognizing balanced forces and resultant force scenarios.

Please subscribe to access these revision notes.

This, and all other video notes, are included in our premium subscriptions.

Premium accounts get access to all videos and revision notes.