Inertia is a Property of Matter

Did you know that if an object is MASSIVE, it has more inertia?  Yep!  Have you ever tried to smash a watermelon with a hammer?

I bet you predicted that one!  What about hitting the hammer against something with greater mass?

The larger mass, in this case a rock, doesn't seem to be effected by the hammer, which in this case has a lesser mass.  The rock is not moving...which is inertia!  The rock is resisting movement even when the hammer is hammering it...because the hammer has less mass.

Take a look at this!

Bill! Bill! Bill!  I know how you all love Bill Nye the Science Guy!

"The more mass an object has, the greater its inertia and the more force it takes to change its state of motion." 

Scientists realized that this law works for good and bad.  Of course you never want to play chicken with a train!

But, what about a bullet proof vest?  A bullet can travel very quickly and penetrate objects that have less than it's mass.  If you add mass to a vest, the bullet will pack a wallop, but it won't penetrate the vest because it has more mass!

The Laws of Inertia can help a lot of people stay safe, have fun and make your stomach queasy...

Oh Snap!