Newton’s First Law of Motion [Simple Definition + Examples]

Newton’s first law is all about understanding the behaviour of an object.

That’s it.

Here’s newton’s first law of motion simple definition:

“An object at rest remains at rest and object in motion remains in motion unless an unbalanced force acts on it”

Not understood properly?

Don’t worry.

Let’s consider some Everyday Life examples to understand the above definition properly.

Newton’s First Law Examples in Everyday Life

Here’s a list of Everyday Life examples of newton’s first law:

• Riding a bicycle on road

• Throwing a bowling ball

• Motion of a car

• Driving a scooter on highway

• Hitting a puck in ice hockey

• Taking out ketchup from a bottle

• Hitting a billiard ball in pool

• Kicking a football

• An astronaut floating in space

• And more…

Let’s understand each one of these examples with pictures. (So you’ll get a clear idea)

#1 Riding a bicycle on road

This is how newton’s first law works, while riding a bicycle on a road.

A bicycle which is at rest, remains at rest.

A bicycle which is in motion, remains in motion.

A bicycle stops when an unbalanced force acts on it.

This thing shows the presence of newton’s first law of motion.

Bicycle at rest remains at rest and bicycle in motion remains in motion unless an unbalanced force acts on it.

(Object’s do not change their behaviour, unless an unbalanced force acts on them)

#2 Throwing a bowling ball

This is how newton’s first law works, while throwing a bowling ball.

A bowling ball which is at rest, remains at rest.

A bowling ball which is in motion, remains in motion.

A bowling ball stops when an unbalanced force acts on it.

This thing shows the presence of newton’s first law of motion.

Bowling ball at rest remains at rest and bowling ball in motion remains in motion unless an unbalanced force acts on it.

(Object’s do not change their behaviour, unless an unbalanced force acts on them)

#3 Motion of a car

This is how newton’s first law works, while driving a car.

A car which is at rest, remains at rest.

A car which is in motion, remains in motion.

A car stops when an unbalanced force acts on it.

This thing shows the presence of newton’s first law of motion.

Car at rest remains at rest and car in motion remains in motion unless an unbalanced force acts on it.

(Object’s do not change their behaviour, unless an unbalanced force acts on them)

#4 Driving a scooter on highway

This is how newton’s first law works, while driving a scooter on the highway.

A scooter which is at rest, remains at rest.

A scooter which is in motion, remains in motion.

A scooter stops when an unbalanced force acts on it.

This thing shows the presence of newton’s first law of motion.

Scooter at rest remains at rest and scooter in motion remains in motion unless an unbalanced force acts on it.

(Object’s do not change their behaviour, unless an unbalanced force acts on them)

#5 Hitting a puck in ice hockey

This is how newton’s first law works, while hitting a puck in the game of ice hockey.

A puck which is at rest, remains at rest.

A puck which is in motion, remains in motion.

A puck stops when an unbalanced force acts on it.

This thing shows the presence of newton’s first law of motion.

Puck at rest remains at rest and puck in motion remains in motion unless an unbalanced force acts on it.

(Object’s do not change their behaviour, unless an unbalanced force acts on them)

#6 Taking out ketchup from a bottle

This is how newton’s first law works, while taking out tomato ketchup from a bottle.

Because of inertia, tomato ketchup which is at rest, remains at rest.

Tomato ketchup will not come out from a bottle, unless an unbalanced force is  applied to it.

This thing shows the presence of newton’s first law of motion.

(Object’s do not change their behaviour, unless an unbalanced force acts on them)

#7 Hitting a billiard ball in pool

This is how newton’s first law works, while hitting a billiard ball in a pool.

A billiard ball which is at rest, remains at rest.

A billiard ball which is in motion, remains in motion.

A billiard ball will not change its behaviour, unless an unbalanced force acts on it.

This thing shows the presence of newton’s first law of motion.

Billiard ball at rest remains at rest and billiard ball in motion remains in motion unless an unbalanced force acts on it.

(Object’s do not change their behaviour, unless an unbalanced force acts on them)

#8 Kicking a football

This is how newton’s first law works, while kicking a football.

A football which is at rest, remains at rest.

A football which is in motion, remains in motion.

A football will not change its behaviour, unless an unbalanced force acts on it.

This thing shows the presence of newton’s first law of motion.

Football at rest remains at rest and football in motion remains in motion unless an unbalanced force acts on it.

(Object’s do not change their behaviour, unless an unbalanced force acts on them)

#9 An astronaut floating in space

This is how newton’s first law works with an astronaut floating in space.

An astronaut which is in motion, remains in motion.

An astronaut will not change its behaviour, unless an unbalanced force acts on it.

This thing shows the presence of newton’s first law of motion.

(Object’s do not change their behaviour, unless an unbalanced force acts on them)

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There are so many other examples of newton’s first law that we are experiencing in our everyday life.

Summary

From the above examples, one thing is understood.

Object’s (whether in rest or in motion) do not change their behaviour, unless an unbalanced force acts on them.

That’s how you can easily remember the simple definition of newton’s first law:

“An object at rest remains at rest and object in motion remains in motion unless an unbalanced force acts on it”

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What do you think, is it easy for you to understand this concept of newton’s first law?

(Let me know in the comments below)

Related:

• Newton’s Second Law of motion

• Newton’s Third Law of motion

• Newton’s Law of Cooling

• Newton’s Universal Law of Gravitation

• Newton’s Law of inertia

• All Newton’s Laws