Newton's laws flowcharts

"Newton's Laws Flowcharts," Patrick M. Len
September 15, 2007

Flowcharts detailing the decision tree in determining which Newton's laws apply to a particular situation, whether by looking at motion criteria, or at net force criterion. Students later make connections between the equilibrium and non-equilibrium aspects of motion with the zero or non-zero net force cases in formally defining Newton's first and second laws.

A student asked if these flowcharts only apply in outer space (i.e., free from any "real forces"); they apply to any and all situations (that can be observed from an observer in a inertial reference frame).