Newton's First Law straight line speed

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Homework Help Overview

The discussion revolves around the concept of objects moving at a constant speed in a straight line, in the context of Newton's First Law of Motion. The original poster is exploring whether such objects exist in the universe.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory, Conceptual clarification, Assumption checking

Approaches and Questions Raised

  • Participants consider the implications of mass on motion, with one suggesting that massless objects might move indefinitely at a constant speed. Others question the validity of this idea and discuss the behavior of light and electromagnetic radiation in a vacuum.

Discussion Status

The discussion is active, with participants offering different perspectives on the nature of motion and mass. Some guidance is provided regarding the relevance of Newton's First Law, and there is an exploration of how gravitational forces affect the motion of objects like meteorites.

Contextual Notes

There are assumptions being questioned, such as the nature of mass and its relationship to motion. The discussion also touches on the limitations of classical mechanics versus general relativity in explaining motion in the universe.

bonbon49
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Homework Statement


For my A-level homework I have to think whether there are any objects in the universe that move at the same speed in a staight line forever.


Homework Equations


I am stuck to think of anything - do any exist?


The Attempt at a Solution



Thanks for the help
 
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What about something with no mass?
 
that would not be possible.. everything in this universe has mass..

however light or any electro magnetic radiation for that matter, in vacuum, moves with the same speed(3x10^8 m/s) forever..
 
but objects such as meterorites in the universe change velocity because of mass of nearby planets - is this true?
 
You titled this "Newton's First Law". Perhaps that has something to do with this problem! What is Newton's first law?

By the way, it is not true that "everything in this universe has mass". In fact, you gave an example in the same post in which you said that. It is, however, true that everything is affected by force.
 
saiaspire said:
that would not be possible.. everything in this universe has mass..

however light or any electro magnetic radiation for that matter, in vacuum, moves with the same speed(3x10^8 m/s) forever..

But that don't move in a strait line...

or you consider classical mechanics and the speed of light is infinite but move in a strait line, or you consider G.Relativity and light travels at c but don't travel in strait path as there's gravity everywhere. ^_^

EDIT: but for the problem i guess that would be related with 1º law...so, is about direct applying it.
 

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