NIOS Class 10 Science Activity 10.3 Force and Motion

In this activity, we will understand the concept of inertia with the help of a simple demonstration and some examples from daily life.

NIOS Class 10 Science and Technology (212) Project File

This activity is based on the NIOS Class 10 science and technology (212) chapter 10- Force and Motion from module 3- Moving Things.

Activity to Understand Inertia (Newton's First Law of Motion)

Aim of the activity

To observe and understand ‘inertia’

Materials Required

   1. A smooth sheet of paper

   2. Glass

   3. Table with smooth surface

Procedure

We place a smooth sheet of paper on a table in such a way that its one end hangs off the edge. Now we place a glass half filled with water on the paper.

We quickly pull the paper with a sharp jerk in the horizontal direction and observe what happens.

Observation

The glass remains in its position on the table. It does not fall.

Explanation

The glass tends to remain at rest due to its inertia. When we apply a quick force to the paper and the force is not transferred to the glass because the jerk is very quick.

The glass resists the sudden change and remains in its position. So, we can say that the “inertia” is the tendency of objects to stay at rest or to keep moving with the same velocity.

 

Conclusion

This activity demonstrates that ‘Inertia’ is the resistance of an object to any change in its position. We can also conclude that a force is needed to overcome inertia.

Examples of Inertia from Daily Life

    1.  A passenger jerks forward when a bus or train stops suddenly.

    2. A tomato sauce bottle releases sauce when a sudden jerk is given.

   3. A book on a table stays at rest until pushed.

   4. A sprinter keeps running after crossing the finish line.

Frequently Asked Questions

     1.  What is inertia?

Answer – The tendency of an object to resist change in its state of motion or rest.

    2. What type of inertia was explained in this activity?

Answer – The Inertia of rest was explained.

   3. Why is the paper pulled with a jerk and not slowly?

Answer – If we pull the paper slowly, the glass will also move with it, but when the paper is pulled with a quick jerk, this doesn’t allow the glass time to move along with the paper. 

All Activities NIOS Class 10 Science Force and Motion

S.N.	Topics
1	Activity 10.1
2	Activity 10.2
3	Activity 10.3
4	Activity 10.4
5	Activity 10.5
6	Activity 10.6