Question

according to newtons first law, what happens to the steel ball just after the box stops?
a. because of fiction, the ball continues rolling forward at the same speed.
b. because of friction, the ball rolls forward at an increased speed.
c. because of inertia, the ball continues rolling forward at the same speed.
d. because of inertia, the ball rolls forward at an increased speed.

Explanation:

Step1: Recall Newton's first law

Newton's first law states that an object in motion will stay in motion with the same speed and in the same direction unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

Step2: Analyze the situation

When the box stops, the steel ball is no longer in contact with the box. There is no force (assuming no friction for the ideal case of Newton's first law demonstration here) acting on the ball to change its state of motion. Inertia is the property of an object to resist changes in its state of motion.

Step3: Evaluate options

• Option A and B: Friction is not relevant as per the ideal Newton's first law scenario (the question is about Newton's first law, not friction effects on speed change).
• Option D: There is no unbalanced force to increase speed.
• Option C: Because of inertia (property of the ball to maintain its state of motion), the ball continues rolling forward at the same speed (as per Newton's first law, no un - balanced force acts on it to change speed).

Answer:

C. Because of inertia, the ball continues rolling forward at the same speed.