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Inertia - GCSE Physics Definition

Reviewed by: Leander Oates

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What is inertia?

In GCSE Physics, inertia is the tendency of an object to continue in its state of rest or in uniform motion unless acted upon by an external force. Put more simply, inertia is an object's resistance to a change in motion.

Experiment showing inertia: a coin on a card over a glass of water. When the card is removed horizontally, the coin falls into the water.
Using a coin to demonstrate inertia

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Leander Oates

Reviewer: Leander Oates

Expertise: Senior Physics Content Creator

Leander graduated with First-class honours in Science and Education from Sheffield Hallam University. She won the prestigious Lord Robert Winston Solomon Lipson Prize in recognition of her dedication to science and teaching excellence. After teaching and tutoring both science and maths students, Leander now brings this passion for helping young people reach their potential to her work at SME.

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