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What characteristic describes inertia according to Newton's First Law?

  1. Objects change their state of motion quickly

  2. Objects remain in their state of motion unless acted upon

  3. Objects in motion lose energy gradually

  4. Objects require constant force to maintain motion

The correct answer is: Objects remain in their state of motion unless acted upon

Inertia, as described by Newton's First Law of Motion, refers to the tendency of an object to maintain its current state of motion, whether at rest or moving in a straight line at a constant speed, unless an external force is applied to alter that state. This principle emphasizes that an unbalanced force is necessary to change the motion of an object. In this context, the correct statement highlights that objects remain in their state of motion until an outside influence is exerted upon them. This is a fundamental concept in physics, establishing the basis for understanding motion and the role of forces in affecting that motion. The other statements do not align with the principle of inertia; for example, the notion that objects change their state of motion quickly contradicts the idea that motion remains unchanged without an external force. Additionally, the idea that objects in motion lose energy gradually or require a constant force to maintain movement does not reflect the inherent nature of inertia, which asserts that motion is maintained unless disrupted by an external factor.