Is Newton's first law a particular case of the second?

In summary, the first law of motion states that the velocity of a body will remain constant if there is no external force acting on it. This is equivalent to the second law, where a null force results in null acceleration, as mass cannot be null. However, the first law also serves to define inertial frames, which is crucial in classical mechanics. While the first law can be derived from the second law mathematically, it holds more significance than just that.
  • #1
Hobold
83
1
There is not much to explain my question, really. First law says that the velocity of a body remains constant if there is no external force acting, which is just equivalent to second law, as a null force is equivalent to null acceleration, as mass cannot be null.
 
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  • #2
Yep. I think the first law is only there to draw emphasis to this particular case.
 
  • #3
mathematically you can get first law from the second, but I think there is more to first law than that.First law provides definition of inertial frames and classical mechanics assumes the existence of such frames.
 

Related to Is Newton's first law a particular case of the second?

1. Is Newton's first law a particular case of the second?

Yes, Newton's first law, also known as the law of inertia, is a particular case of the second law of motion. This is because the first law states that an object will remain at rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force, which is essentially a simplified version of the second law.

2. What is the difference between Newton's first and second law?

The main difference between Newton's first and second law is that the first law only applies to objects that are at rest or in uniform motion, while the second law applies to all objects regardless of their initial state. Additionally, the first law does not take into account the effect of external forces, while the second law specifically states that the acceleration of an object is directly proportional to the net force acting on it.

3. How does the first law demonstrate the concept of inertia?

The first law demonstrates the concept of inertia by stating that an object will maintain its state of motion unless acted upon by an external force. This means that an object at rest will remain at rest and an object in motion will continue to move at a constant velocity, unless an external force is applied.

4. Can the first law be applied to all objects?

No, the first law only applies to objects that are not experiencing any external forces. If an object is under the influence of a net force, then the first law cannot accurately describe its motion. In such cases, the second law must be applied.

5. What is an example of Newton's first law in everyday life?

An example of Newton's first law in everyday life is when a passenger in a car experiences a jolt when the car suddenly starts or stops. This is because the passenger's body is in motion due to its inertia, but the car's motion changes suddenly due to an external force, causing the passenger to feel a sudden movement.

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