Question

When we shake the branch of a tree, its fruits and dry leaves fall down. This is an example of ___________

(a) Inertia of motion

(b) Inertia of rest

(c) Inertia of direction

(d) Newton’s third law of motion

I have been asked this question in an online quiz.

My enquiry is from Forces topic in portion Laws of Motion of Engineering Physics I

Answer 1

Correct answer is (b) Inertia of rest

For explanation I would say: On shaking, the branch comes into motion while the dry fruits and leaves tend to remain at rest, inertia at rest, and so get separated. Thus the falling of leaves and fruits when the branch is shaken is an example of inertia of rest.