Inertia — an object's resistance to a change in motion due to its mass.

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Why does the ping pong ball accelerate more than the golf ball?

Video Instruction

showmethephysics.com

Slideshow

Newton's 2nd Law

When the Net Force > 0

The acceleration of a body depends directly on the net force acting on it and indirectly on the body's mass.

(m)
(s²)
a
=
Fnet
m
(N)
(Kg)

Mass and Inertia

Mass and Inertia are directly related

Larger the Mass,
the Greater the Inertia

Sumo wrestler illustrating large mass and inertia

More Mass

Football player running with the ball

Less Mass

Runner racing

Inertia and Mass Directly Related

Twice the Mass,
Twice the Inertia

(an object's resistance to being accelerated by a force due to its mass)

Feeling Inertia

“Why is it initially so difficult to pedal a bike when you start from rest?”

“And why is it so easy to pedal the bike once you obtain your desired speed?”

Cyclist riding a bike

Inertia — When you first start pedaling you are feeling the inertia of the bike and body. (force required to change motion)

Once in motion you only need to apply a force to offset friction.

Football player running with the ball

“Why are the most massive (most inertia) football players lineman?”

Football lineman

“Why are the least massive (least inertia) football players receivers?”

Football receiver running to catch the ball

“Receivers want to change motion, lineman want to hold their ground”

Simulations & Games

Dynamic Equilibrium   [HTML5]

Show Me The Physics

First Law Game

Show Me The Physics

Egg Drop — Inertia in Action

Onsite   Krampf

Ranking Task

Cartoon figure calculating
Try it

Rank the carts below from greatest inertia to least. Explain your answer.

Carts to rank by inertia