An astronaut tosses a ball out in space where gravitational forces may be neglected. What will happen to the ball?
A) It will stop as soon as the force the astronaut gave it is used up.
B) It will stop when the energy the astronaut gave it runs out.
C) It will stop after a short time because there is no gravity to keep it moving.
D) It will move in a circle like a boomerang.
E) It will be slowed down very gradually by collisions with molecules in space.

Question

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

In space, where gravitational forces can be neglected, an object in motion will continue in motion in a straight line at a constant speed according to Newton's first law of inertia, unless acted upon by an external force. The only significant external force that might act on the ball in the vacuum of space would be collisions with molecules or particles, which would very gradually slow it down.

An Astronaut Tosses a Ball Out in Space Where Gravitational