Question

two asteroids collide in space. the first asteroid has a mass of 4,000,000 kilograms and the second asteroid has a mass of 2,000,000 kilograms. match each of newtons laws of motion to the statement it best describes. newtons first law of motion newtons second law of motion newtons third law of motion during the collision, the two asteroids exert equal forces on each other that are in opposite directions. the asteroids will move at a constant velocity until they collide. after the collision, the second asteroid will accelerate more than the first.

Explanation:

Newton's first law (law of inertia) states an object will remain at rest or in uniform - motion in a straight line unless acted upon by an external force, which applies to the asteroids moving at a constant velocity until collision. Newton's second law ($F = ma$) implies that with the same force, a smaller - mass object (second asteroid) will have a greater acceleration. Newton's third law (action - reaction) says that for every action, there is an equal and opposite reaction, which is seen in the equal and opposite forces the asteroids exert on each other during the collision.

Answer:

• The asteroids will move at a constant velocity until they collide. - Newton's first law of motion
• During the collision, the two asteroids exert equal forces on each other that are in opposite directions. - Newton's third law of motion
• After the collision, the second asteroid will accelerate more than the first. - Newton's second law of motion