A space probe is moving through the vacuum of space, far from any sources of gravity. The only force it is experiencing comes from its thrusters, which are still producing a non-zero force. The direction of the force of the thrusters only pushes the probe forward, but the thrusters can be turned off. Which statement (s) must be trueA) Once the thrusters stop providing the force (they get turned off), the probe will begin to slow down. B) The probe must travel in a straight line. C) All of these statements are true. D) The probe cannot have an acceleration equal to zero.

Question

Physics

Birdy

15 November, 12:36

A space probe is moving through the vacuum of space, far from any sources of gravity. The only force it is experiencing comes from its thrusters, which are still producing a non-zero force. The direction of the force of the thrusters only pushes the probe forward, but the thrusters can be turned off. Which statement (s) must be trueA) Once the thrusters stop providing the force (they get turned off), the probe will begin to slow down. B) The probe must travel in a straight line. C) All of these statements are true. D) The probe cannot have an acceleration equal to zero.

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Answers (1)

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Ruby Chang · Answer 1

B) The probe must travel in a straight line.

Explanation:

As per the Newton's first law of motion an object will not change its state of motion until we apply an external force on it. Here since the probe is in vacuum and the impact of gravity is considered zero, the probe moves/changes its state of motion only because of the thrusters. If the thrusters are turned off, the probe will keep moving with the same speed as there is no other force to slow it down. Since there is no impact of gravity, it will keep moving in a straight line.

As the external force is not being applied the acceleration will be zero as it will be moving with a constant speed.