Question 19

The tendency of objects to resist a change in motion is known as inertia.

Inertia is the property of matter that causes it to resist changes in its state of motion, whether that means remaining at rest or continuing to move at a constant velocity. This fundamental concept of physics explains why objects do not change their motion unless acted upon by an external force.

A) Acceleration

Acceleration refers to the rate of change of velocity of an object. While it is related to motion, it does not describe the resistance to change in that motion. Instead, acceleration is the result of a net force acting on an object, not the property that resists such changes.

B) Displacement

Displacement is a vector quantity that refers to the change in position of an object. It measures the shortest distance from the initial to the final position and does not describe the tendency of objects to resist changes in motion. Therefore, it is not relevant to the concept of inertia.

C) Inertia

Inertia is the correct answer as it directly defines the tendency of objects to resist changes in their motion. This property is a fundamental aspect of Newton's First Law of Motion, which states that an object at rest stays at rest and an object in motion stays in motion unless acted upon by a net external force.

D) Force

Force is an interaction that causes an object to change its state of motion, meaning it can overcome inertia rather than describe it. While forces can induce acceleration and change the motion of an object, they are not the property that resists change. Thus, force is not the correct answer.

Conclusion

Inertia is the definitive answer as it encapsulates the resistance an object has to changes in its motion, aligning with Newton's First Law. The other options—acceleration, displacement, and force—fail to represent this concept and instead describe different physical phenomena related to motion and forces acting upon objects.