AQA GCSE Physics contents

Unit 5 · Forces

Newton's Laws of Motion

4 min read · part of the full Exam Guide

Newton's First Law

  • If the resultant force on an object is zero:
    • A stationary object remains stationary
    • A moving object continues at the same speed in the same direction: the same velocity
  • So a vehicle at a steady speed has resistive forces equal to the driving force
  • The velocity (speed and/or direction) of an object only changes if a resultant force acts
  • (HT) The tendency of objects to continue in their state of rest or uniform motion is inertia

Full Exam Guide

The rest of this topic is in the full Exam Guide

The complete AQA GCSE Physics guide — every topic, exam checklist and common mistake — is coming soon. Until then, the first topic in every unit is free to read.

In the full topic

  • Newton's First Law
  • Newton's Second Law
  • Required Practical 7: force, mass and acceleration
  • Newton's Third Law
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