A skater gliding on ice continuing to move in the same direction exemplifies which of Newton's laws?

The scenario of a skater gliding on ice and continuing to move in the same direction is a perfect illustration of Newton's first law of inertia. This law states that an object in motion will remain in motion at a constant velocity unless acted upon by an external force. In this case, the skater, once started gliding, will maintain that motion due to the low friction of the ice, which minimizes external forces acting against their movement.

The skater's continued motion without needing any additional effort exemplifies the principle of inertia – they will continue moving in the same direction and speed until some force, whether through friction, air resistance, or a push, acts upon them to change that state. This law highlights the natural tendency of objects to resist changes in their state of motion, demonstrating why the skater can glide smoothly for a considerable distance.