Question

an untethered astronaut gently exits a spaceship which is moving through free space without accelerating. will the spaceship move off and leave the astronaut behind? multiple choice no, both have the same relative velocity before and after leaving the spaceship. need more information to answer this question. yes, that is why astronauts wear a tether.

Explanation:

According to the law of inertia in physics, an object in motion will stay in motion with the same velocity unless acted upon by an external force. Before exiting, the astronaut and the spaceship are moving together with the same velocity. Since there is no acceleration and no external - force acting on the astronaut in free - space after exiting, their relative velocity remains the same.

Answer:

A. No, both have the same relative velocity before and after leaving the spaceship.