Final answer:
The Moon's significant inertia compared to a car turning a corner is due to its large mass and the gravitational pull of the Earth-Moon system, which involves the central gravity between Earth and Moon and is influenced by Earth's gravitational force on the Moon.
Step-by-step explanation:
There is more inertia to overcome in changing the Moon's direction as it orbits Earth compared to a car turning a corner due to several factors, primarily the mass and the gravitational pull involved. Newton's laws of motion tell us that the Moon orbits not just the center of Earth but the common center of gravity of the Earth-Moon system. This center of gravity is influenced by Earth's mass and the Moon's mass and is located some 1700 km below Earth's surface. The Moon's path is also affected by Earth's gravitational force, which results in the Moon experiencing a centripetal acceleration as it orbits Earth.
Additionally, the gravitational interaction is based on Newton's third law, which states that every action has an equal and opposite reaction. Consequently, as Earth exerts a force on the Moon, the Moon also exerts a force on Earth. The Moon's substantial mass compared to a car, coupled with the significant distance over which Earth's gravitational force acts, results in a much larger inertia that must be overcome to change the Moon's direction.
The Earth-Moon system's behavior, including the wiggles in Earth's path around the Sun and the ocean tides, provides observable evidence of the gravitational forces at play. These tides, caused by the Moon's gravity, are an example of how the gravitational pull affects both Earth and the Moon, leading to significant inertial effects when the Moon's direction is altered.