Chapter 4, Problem 20RQ

Fill in the blanks: Newton’s first law is often called the law of ______; Newton’s second law highlights the concept of ______; and Newton’s third law is the law of ______ and ______.

To determine

The appropriate word in the blank for the statement, “Newton’s first law is often called the law of _______; Newton’s second law highlights the concept of_______; and Newton’s third law is the law of ______and _______.”

Answer to Problem 20RQ

The appropriate word in the blank for the statement, “Newton’s first law is often called the law of _______; Newton’s second law highlights the concept of_______; and Newton’s third law is the law of ______and _____” are inertia, acceleration, action, and reaction, respectively.

Explanation of Solution

Newton’s first law states that a person will remain in the state of motion or rest unless an external force is acted upon it. This law defines the phenomenon of inertia. Inertia is the property of the body to counter the change in the existing state. So, Newton’s first law is often called the law of inertia.

Newton’s second law of motion expresses the relation between the acceleration and force. This describes the relation of acceleration with acting force and mass. So, Newton’s second law highlights the concept of acceleration.

Newton’s third law states that a force always works in pairs. This means that, when a force is acting on the body, then equal but opposite force will be exerted by the body. So, Newton’s third law is the law of action and reaction.

Conclusion:

Therefore, “Newton’s first law is often called the law of inertia; Newton’s second law highlights the concept of acceleration; and Newton’s third law is the law of action and reaction”.