Here's what it means:
* At rest, it stays at rest: If an object is stationary, it will stay stationary unless a force acts upon it. Think of a book on a table. It will stay put until you push it.
* In motion, it stays in motion: If an object is moving, it will continue moving at the same speed and in the same direction unless a force acts upon it. Imagine a ball rolling across a smooth, frictionless surface. It would keep rolling forever without slowing down or changing direction.
Important points:
* Net force: This refers to the overall force acting on an object. If multiple forces act on an object, they might cancel each other out, resulting in no net force.
* Friction: In real-world scenarios, friction is often present, slowing down objects in motion. However, Newton's First Law still applies – friction is simply a force that changes the motion of the object.
In summary, without a net force, an object will either remain at rest or continue moving at a constant velocity (speed and direction).