Question

What is meant by 'inertia'? What are the different types of inertia? Give two examples in each case. (5 mark question)

Answer 1

Inertia is the resistance of any physical object to any change in its state of motion; this includes changes to its speed, direction or state of rest.


There are three types of inertia:
1. inertia of rest: this is the resistance offered by the body to remain in rest unless an external force is not applied on the body. eg.:if a carpet is beaten with a stick then the dust particles due to inertia of rest tends to remain in rest while the fibers of carpet becomes in motion.
2. inertia of direction: this is the resistance offered by the body to change its direction unless an ext.force is not applied on the body.Eg:if a bus tkes a turn then passengers sitting in tends to remain in the same direction in which the bus was travelling before.
3. inertia of motion: the resistance offerd by the body to change its uniform motion.Eg:if a bus stops suddenly then the passengers fall forward due to inertia of motion.

Answer 2

the inability of an object to change its state of rest, motion or direction unless an external force is applied is known as inertia. inertia of rest, inertia of motion and inertia of direction are the three types of inertia