Question

1. finally, turn friction and air drag off and try the following: get the rocket sled moving to the right until the speed - o - meter reaches the red zone. then reverse the direction of the applied force so that it is directed to the left. does the rocket sled immediately change direction? 10. explain your answer.

Explanation:

According to Newton's first - law of motion (inertia), an object in motion will stay in motion with a constant velocity unless acted upon by an unbalanced force. When the direction of the applied force is reversed while the rocket sled is moving, the sled has inertia and will not immediately change direction. It will first decelerate due to the new - applied force in the opposite direction until its velocity becomes zero, and then start moving in the new direction.

Answer:

No, the rocket sled does not immediately change direction because of inertia.