Question

An experiment is performed on a puck on a level air hockey table,where friction is negligible . A constant horizontal force is applied to the puck ,and the puck’s acceleration is measured. Now the same puck is transported far into outer space, where both friction and gravity are negligible. The same constant force is applied to the puck is measured . What is the puck’s acceleration in outer space ?

A) It is somewhat greater than its acceleration on the earth.

B) It is the same as its acceleration on the earth

C) It is less then its acceleration on the earth

D) It is infinite because neither friction nor gravity constrains it.

E) It is very large because acceleration is inversely proportional to weight and the puck’s weight is very small but not zero .

Short answer

Correct option is (B)

Step-by-step solution

Step 1:Newton 2nd law of motion

It states that the time rate of change of the momentum of a body is equal in both magnitude and direction to the force imposed on it .

Explanation

An air truck of air table is a wonderful thing . It exactly cancel out the force of the earth’s gravity on the gliding object, to display free motion and to imitate the effect of being far away in space .