What propels objects forward?
2006-10-11 13:13:44 · 10 answers · asked by cdreed3000 1 in Science & Mathematics ➔ Physics
The property of the object that resists a change in its state of motion is called inertia. The tendency of objects is to move with a constant velocity unless acted on by an unbalanced force. This is known as Newton's First Law, the Law of Inertia.
Momentum is the product of an object's mass (think inertia) times its velocity. The rate of change of the momentum is the net force. So, if there is no unbalanced (or net) force acting, then momentum doesn't change, or stays the same. This is known as the Conservation of Momentum, one of the fundamental laws of physics.
The question is NOT what propels it forward, but what should make it stop?
**Don't feel bad, Aristotle died believing that motion required a force. And many smart folks after him believed it too. It took the freakish genius of Newton to set us straight(er).**
2006-10-11 13:24:16 · answer #1 · answered by socrmom 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ok, momentum is equal to mass times velocity, so a object of a constant mass has a constant velocity and therefor has a constant momentum, however all net force can equal zero, so, by Newton's first law of motion, which is "an object in motion will remain in motion in a straight line, unless acted upon by an outside force." Which, we can take to mean, that if the velocity is constant and the mass is constant, all forces MUST be in equilibrium which means that it will neither decelerate nor accelerate. This is why it remains in motion.
2006-10-11 13:19:17 · answer #2 · answered by Archangel 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Inertia is the force that keeps an object moving.
2006-10-11 13:16:00 · answer #3 · answered by Oklahoman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think you're asking one of those "why" questions that science can't answer. Why objects keep moving is like asking why do we see yellow as yellow. The only thing I can say is that without some outside force, there is nothing to stop it.
2006-10-11 13:23:04 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
inertia and the tendency of objects in motion to stay in motion until a force is exerted on them (newtons laws)
2006-10-11 13:18:20 · answer #5 · answered by Sasha 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Hi. Inertia, the tendency to keep moving unless acted on by another force.
2006-10-11 13:15:41 · answer #6 · answered by Cirric 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You don't need force to move an object. You only need force to ACCELERATE an object. :)
F = ma, not F = mv
2006-10-11 13:15:14 · answer #7 · answered by PJ 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
The mass and density of an object keeps it up :)!!!
2006-10-11 13:14:58 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
Other forces.
2006-10-11 13:41:47 · answer #9 · answered by May 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Inertia and Gravity?
2006-10-11 13:15:06 · answer #10 · answered by Aley@SC 1 · 0⤊ 1⤋