Inertia in sport, where a stationary object tends to stay stationary, is best illustrated by which scenario?

• A. A cyclist coasting at constant velocity
• B. A ball accelerated by kicks
• C. An Olympic lifter before the lift remains still
• D. A gymnast performing a flip

Answer: (C)

Inertia is the tendency of an object to remain at rest or to continue moving at a constant speed in a straight line unless acted on by a net external force. This question points to the resting side of that idea. An Olympic lifter standing still before the lift is the clearest illustration: the barbell and lifter would stay at rest unless the lifter applies a net force sufficient to overcome the weight and any friction, starting the movement upward. This directly shows a stationary object tending to stay stationary. The other scenarios involve motion already underway or changes in motion, not a stationary state: a cyclist coasting is moving, a ball being kicked is being set into motion, and a gymnast flipping is in motion and rotation.