Inertia vs. Momentum

By Brooke Elwell

by Katie King

As we embark on another semester, we welcome the demanding responsibilities that accompany it. Sometimes it’s a good thing to have a regimented schedule to follow, but what happens when it feels like there aren’t enough hours in the day to accomplish everything that’s asked of us?

As a mechanical engineering major, I’ve been taking physics-based courses for two years, and the terms inertia and momentum followed me even prior to college. In the early weeks of this semester, as I looked at my to-do list, I felt stuck in place; there was just too much to do, so I couldn’t do anything at all.

I was stuck in a stationary state of inertia, much like many of the scenarios in my problem sets. What I have learned over the years, however, is that inertia is the natural tendency not only of an object at rest to stay at rest, but also an object in motion to remain in motion, unless, of course, an external force acts upon it, causing its velocity to change.

I needed an external push to set me in motion, so to offset my state of equilibrium, I began making small changes in my everyday lifestyle in hopes they’d eventually add up to the change I wished to see. 

I began by switching from taking notes on an iPad to doing them on pen and paper. I designated the engineering library as my study space, making sure to go at least once a day to get some sort of work done, and I started going to tutoring instead of staring at a problem for hours to no avail.

I was no longer still; I’d forced myself into some sort of motion. What I’ve learned through each new implementation in my life, whether it regards academics or not, is that once you start, it’s almost impossible to stop. You feel addicted to the relief you get from submitting a thoroughly complete assignment, the pride at completing a long, early-morning run and the respect you gain for yourself with every challenge you conquer. 

Your need to continue moving multiplies, picking up more and more momentum. Momentum can be described as the force or speed of movement. The first step you take toward your goals initiates the next, and suddenly you’re a lot closer to success than you realized.

Use this semester to ask yourself: What do I really want? How do I get there, and why am I not there yet?

Once you answer these questions, make one deliberate choice everyday that gets you one step closer. It could be as simple as waking up 20 minutes earlier, walking to class instead of taking the T, or asking a question during lecture instead of sitting silently confused. Or it could be more complex, such as attending the Career Fair, undertaking a new exercise regimen, or creating a plan to learn a new skill you’ve always dreamed of acquiring. 

Your first step doesn’t need to be correct or “perfect.” Make it exist first; you can improve it later with time and experience. The most important part is overcoming the state of inertia that keeps us stagnant. 

Once you move, you keep moving, and eventually, it’s a lot harder to be still than it is to move forward.