Basic Details
Word: Inertia
Part of Speech: Noun
Meaning: The tendency of an object to stay still or keep moving unless something changes that.
Synonyms: Laziness, sluggishness
Antonyms: Activity, motion
Idioms and Phrases
- Inertia in action: Used to describe a situation where a person or group continues doing the same thing without change. Example: "The company's inertia in action led to lower sales because they refused to adapt to new trends."
- Overcome inertia: To take action and break free from a state of inaction. Example: "She had to overcome inertia to start her homework after a long day of playing."
Usage Examples
Example 1: A heavy truck has a lot of inertia, making it hard to start moving or stop quickly.
Example 2: Inertia can be seen when a ball rolls down a hill, continuing to move until it hits something.
Example 3: Sometimes, it takes a big event to overcome the inertia of a tired project team and get them motivated again.
Fun Fact
Did you know that the concept of inertia was first described by Sir Isaac Newton in the 17th century? He explained that objects at rest stay at rest and objects in motion stay in motion unless acted upon by an external force.
Famous Quote
"A body at rest tends to remain at rest, and a body in motion tends to remain in motion." - Sir Isaac Newton
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)
1. What does "inertia" mean?
a) A force that pushes
b) The tendency of an object to remain still or keep moving
c) A type of energy
d) A state of excitement
Answer: b) The tendency of an object to remain still or keep moving
2. Which of these is a synonym of "inertia"?
a) Motion
b) Laziness
c) Speed
d) Force
Answer: b) Laziness
3. Which is an antonym of "inertia"?
a) Activity
b) Stillness
c) Weight
d) Resistance
Answer: a) Activity
4. Which sentence uses "inertia" correctly?
a) Inertia makes cars go faster.
b) The inertia of the train caused it to stop suddenly.
c) The inertia lifted the box off the table.
d) Inertia is a kind of food.
Answer: b) The inertia of the train caused it to stop suddenly.
5. What does it mean to "overcome inertia"?
a) To stay still
b) To take action and start doing something
c) To make something heavier
d) To build resistance
Answer: b) To take action and start doing something
